Actor Bonko Khoza has publicly denied allegations of sexual misconduct made by his former Red Ink co-star Nirvana Nokwe-Mseleku.
His response comes after Nokwe-Mseleku’s claims circulated widely online, drawing renewed attention to an incident she says happened in September 2023 during filming of the thriller series.
Allegations Linked to a Scene on Set
Nokwe-Mseleku alleged that Khoza sexually assaulted her while they were shooting a scene that required physical contact.
According to her account, the scene involved Khoza pushing her against a car bonnet, lying on top of her, and then moving out of frame. She claimed he instead pressed his private parts against her during the take.
Nokwe-Mseleku Says the Experience Ended Her Acting Career
Nokwe-Mseleku said the incident deeply affected her and contributed to her decision to leave acting.
She said she no longer wants to work in an environment where she feels her body and boundaries are not respected. She also claimed she was warned that speaking out or reporting the matter could damage her career.
Khoza Says the Scene Was Rehearsed
In a statement released on Monday, Khoza denied wrongdoing and said he performed the scene as it had been rehearsed.
He said the rehearsal and filming involved Nokwe-Mseleku, the director, the director of photography, and a stunt coordinator.
Khoza also said more than 12 crew members were present on set, including the stunt coordinator, and that none reported conduct matching the allegations.
Actor Says Footage and Witnesses Cleared Him
Khoza said the unedited footage was reviewed on November 30, 2023, and that relevant parties concluded they had not seen sexual misconduct.
He added that he later learned on May 21, 2024, that Nokwe-Mseleku had opened a case against him. According to Khoza, authorities did not proceed with prosecution after receiving his sworn statement.
Khoza Describes Personal Toll on Family and Career
Khoza said he had tried to respond with compassion while attempting to understand the basis of the allegations.
He described the past two-and-a-half years as painful, saying the accusation affected his integrity, career, family life, and role as a father and husband.
Impact and Consequences
The allegations and Khoza’s denial have placed renewed scrutiny on safety, consent, and accountability during intimate or physical scenes in South Africa’s entertainment industry.
The case has also triggered public debate over how productions handle complaints, how evidence is reviewed, and how both accusers and accused actors are treated when serious allegations emerge.
What’s next?
Further public reaction is likely as both sides’ accounts continue to circulate.
Industry observers may also look for responses from the production team, broadcaster, or legal representatives involved in the matter.
Summary
Bonko Khoza has denied allegations of sexual misconduct made by Nirvana Nokwe-Mseleku, saying the disputed Red Ink scene was rehearsed and witnessed by crew members.
Nokwe-Mseleku says the incident harmed her deeply and contributed to her decision to leave acting.
Bulleted Takeaways:
- Bonko Khoza has denied sexual misconduct allegations.
- Nirvana Nokwe-Mseleku claimed the incident happened during Red Ink filming in September 2023.
- Khoza said the scene was rehearsed and performed as planned.
- He said crew members and footage did not support the misconduct claim.
- Nokwe-Mseleku said the experience damaged her and ended her acting career.
- Khoza said the accusation harmed his family, career, and reputation.
