ConCourt Orders Release of Influencer SABC Livhu After Bail Is Reinstated

Social media influencer and comedian Livhuwani Madadzhe, popularly known as SABC Livhu, will be released from Matatshe Correctional Centre on Thursday, 22 January, at 07:30.

The release follows a Constitutional Court ruling that reinstated his bail with immediate effect.
Madadzhe’s legal representative, Advocate Khuliso Negota, confirmed the development late on Wednesday afternoon.

He said the apex court upheld Madadzhe’s direct appeal and overturned earlier decisions that resulted in his continued detention.

The Constitutional Court granted Madadzhe leave to appeal directly to it. The court then set aside a series of rulings made by Judge Thogomelani Tshidada in November last year. These included the decision to cancel Madadzhe’s bail.

In its ruling, the court found that Judge Tshidada acted improperly by continuing to preside over aspects of the case. This followed an earlier case management directive that the judge had issued in May 2025. According to the court, the judge should not have remained involved in later proceedings.

The court ruled that several decisions flowing from that continued involvement could not stand. These included the separation of charges, participation in sentencing proceedings, and the revocation of bail. The court said these rulings were procedurally flawed.

As a result, the Constitutional Court ordered that Madadzhe’s bail be reinstated immediately. It ruled that the same bail conditions that applied before 14 November 2025 must remain in place. The court also instructed that its order be sent without delay to the correctional centre where Madadzhe has been incarcerated.The ruling brings an end to weeks of legal uncertainty.

Madadzhe had previously admitted guilt on two counts of fraud. The charges relate to the falsification of his mother’s death to claim insurance money. Sentencing on those counts remains suspended and will continue once the matter returns to the High Court.
The Constitutional Court stressed that the State is not barred from applying again for the cancellation of Madadzhe’s bail. However, any new application must be heard by a different judge.

Madadzhe also faces a separate charge of murder. The charge relates to the death of his partner, Lindelani Nengovhela, who killed three years ago. That case is proceeding independently through the courts.

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