Cape Town – South African comedian Mongezi ‘Tol Ass Mo’ Mahlangu, who was acquitted of a rape charge levelled against him last year, has launched an organisation seeking to help other men who find themselves in similar situations.
The comedian was cleared of rape allegations made against him by model and actress Lerato Moloi.
In 2018 Lerato claimed that Tol Ass Mo sexually assaulted her while working on a television production in Paarl in the Western Cape in 2014.
The comedian has been very vocal about how Lerato Moloi’s allegations ruined his life, leading him to attempt suicide.
He admitted that his wife Mome had caught him hanging from the ceiling in their garage, as he talked about the impact the rape accusation had on his life during the latest episode of Podcast and Chill.
“My wife had to catch me a few times hanging from my ceiling in my garage. Took the horse’s noose and I hung it on my neck. I was attempting suicide multiple times,” he said.
Tol Ass Mo has now embarked on a journey to assist other falsely accused men across the country.
He recently took to Instagram to share the news and officially announced the launch of his organisation.
He said he had partnered with private investigator, Mike Bolhuis.
Speaking to TshisaLIVE, the comedian said there was a lack of support for men who were “maliciously and falsely accused”.
“There has been a major shortage of support for men in similar cases. The fact there is such a high number of rape cases in the country makes it difficult for society to be sympathetic towards men in cases where they are maliciously and falsely accused, or when they are proven innocent,” he was quoted as saying.
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He has partnered with private investigator Mike Bolhuis, who will take on each case.
“We have very strict rules and regulations when we take cases. We don’t make it emotional, we don’t make it sensational but we rather post the truth and leave the information out there for the public to make an informed decision,” Bolhuis said.
The report said Tol Ass Mo has made a call for people to send in their inquires, stating each inquiry is free.
“Every inquiry is free. Mike and I are registering an NGO which will be able to assist should investigations need to be done because it is a costly procedure, but I am not standing to benefit by assisting. Mike and his team will be handling the cases. I am here as a vessel for men to find it easier to open up.
“What we are doing is taking a stand to say men can speak for themselves and be in a position where they state their case so they can be judged by a court of law and not be lambasted and taken through social ridicule because this brings about emotional trauma and mental health issues,” the report quoted the comedian as saying.
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Compiled by Olwethu Mpeshe
