South African media personality Somizi Mhlongo has strongly distanced himself from a company accused of owing former employees over R165,000 in unpaid salaries. The company in question, Search Light (Pty) Ltd, is reportedly under investigation after several workers lodged complaints with the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA).
Background to the Salary Dispute
Search Light (Pty) Ltd is a cleaning services company that allegedly failed to pay its employees between April and June 2025. Affected workers took the matter to the CCMA, which ruled in their favour. The unpaid salaries totalled over R165,000.
Read more about the public apology in Celebrity News: Tebogo G Mashego Apologises to DJ Maphorisa and Other Artists.
Following the ruling, the CCMA issued an enforcement order. This allowed the sheriff to seize assets from the company in order to recover the outstanding wages. However, when the sheriff visited the company’s former Sandton premises three times in September, they found the building locked and empty.
Somizi Denies Owning Company Linked to Dispute
In response to mounting media speculation, Somizi Mhlongo released a public statement firmly denying any connection to Search Light. He said:
“The company referred to in the article does not belong to me, has never been registered under my name and I have no association with it whatsoever.”
He added that the article’s claims were false and misleading, and cautioned media outlets to verify facts before publication.
“It is deeply concerning that such misinformation is published without proper verification. I urge media outlets to uphold the principles of accuracy and accountability.”
Enforcement Action and Legal Implications
Despite the CCMA ruling in favour of the employees, the enforcement order has not yet led to payment. Labour law experts explain that once an arbitration award is certified, it becomes enforceable as if it were a court order. According to Barter McKellar Attorneys, the sheriff is empowered to attach movable assets.
Thabiso Putswe, a representative from the Hetelicca Trade Union, said they are pursuing other avenues:
“We are now exploring ways to seize assets in compliance with the enforcement order.”
This case underscores the challenge of enforcing CCMA awards, especially when companies become untraceable.
Was Somizi Ever a Director?
There is confusion about whether Somizi was ever officially linked to Search Light. Some earlier reports listed him as a director, possibly based on outdated or incorrect company registration data. However, Somizi has denied any formal role or ownership. As of now, no official CIPC documents confirming his involvement have been made public.
Get the full details in Celebrity News: Singer Kaylow Involved in Another Car Accident.
Reputational Impact and Media Responsibility
While Somizi has taken steps to clear his name, the controversy highlights the reputational risks faced by public figures. Inaccurate media reports can damage careers and public trust. This incident also raises important questions about journalistic ethics and the duty to verify sources before publishing.
Somizi’s swift denial and call for accountability remind us of the need for balanced and factual reporting in the age of viral misinformation.
