A popular South African social media influencer and comedian has landed in trouble for faking his mother's death.
Livhuwani Madadzhe, widely known online as SABC Livhu, is awaiting sentencing at the Thohoyandou High Court in Limpopo, in a case closely followed nationwide.
Prosecutors told the court the 35-year-old comedian, who is currently in detention, had falsely claimed that his mother had died in 2017 in an attempt to fraudulently collect insurance payouts.
They said Madadzhe had even erected a tombstone, despite his mother being alive at the time. He allegedly received money from a funeral cover policy organisation, but failed in a second claim involving a major bank, after his sister alerted the institution that their mother was alive.
Falsification of records
According to state broadcaster, SABC News, a Department of Home Affairs official has also been implicated in the case for allegedly assisting the comedian with the falsification of death records.
In South Africa, funeral cover is part of an insurance policy where enrollees pay a monthly premium, and they are paid a lump amount when an insured member of their family dies.
During his trial, which lasted several years, Madadzhe pleaded guilty to two counts of fraud. According to South African laws, he could be sentenced to a prison term or a fine.
However, his sentencing has been repeatedly postponed, including on Tuesday, 6 January 2026. The sentencing is now expected on Friday, 9 January.
Delayed judgement
The frequent postponement has been linked to procedural issues. In November last year, his lawyers withdrew from the case for non-payment of their fees.
Tuesday's adjournment came after the comedian submitted contradictory court applications, according to state broadcaster SABC News.
It reported that Madadzhe had approached South Africa's Constitutional Court to challenge a decision by the high court revoking his bail.
Similarly, the high court judge, Thogomelani Tshidada, said he was aware of Madadzhe's alleged attempts to obtain a sick report to avoid attending court sittings.
Apart from the case of fraud and faking his mother's death, Madadzhe is also facing a separate case linked to the death of his partner in 2023.
