Kwaito star kidnapping case postponed

Johannesburg - The trial of kwaito singer Nkosana Thwala, who allegedly kidnapped his girlfriend and forced her to smoke drugs, will begin on Thursday at the Protea Magistrate's court, police said.

"He appeared in court today [Wednesday]... but they are moving the trial to another court room so it will only start tomorrow [Thursday]," said Warrant Officer Kay Makhubele.

Thwala, 24, who is better known to his fans as "Nsimbi", allegedly kidnapped his girlfriend, Nelisiwe Dube, and forced her to smoke drugs. This happened  a day after he was released on bail for allegedly assaulting her and damaging her house.

Makhubele said Thwala's application for bail in the latest matter was denied and he would remain in custody.

After appearing in court on July 4 and being released on bail, Thwala, who performs with the group GP Gangsta, apparently picked up 19 year-old Dube from her house on July 5, and took her to his house in Soweto.

There, he allegedly kept her in a room and forced her to smoke drugs at gunpoint, said Makhubele.

Dube claimed to have escaped through a window and alerted the police while Thwala was on the phone. Police arrested him at his house in Zola soon after.

"Both cases against him will now be melted together because his girlfriend is the alleged victim in both," Makhubele said.

Thwala faces charges of assault, malicious damage to property, kidnapping and pointing a firearm.

According to the GP Gangsta website, Thwala is a co-founder of the group which consists of three Soweto artists. He is also an executive member of Brown Bottle Entertainment.

He is described as the "most delinquent" member of the group, because of his lyrics.

In 2003, GP Gangsta released its debut album Gangsta Gangsta which featured the songs Zola till I die and Brand new day.

It was nominated for the Channel O Awards in the best hip-hop and best newcomer categories.