Five entertainment bloggers have been accused of fabricating malicious reports about prominent people and then extorting money to remove the posts.

Among those who have been implicated are Inno Morolong and Musa Khawula. The bloggers have denied the allegations.

Their content is said to be “destroying” popular culture in the country. Sources say these entertainment commentators are the reason there are no “true celebrities” in South Africa, accusing them of being more interested in posting negative content about people so they can allegedly demand money to take it down. 

A top musician, who did not want to be named, said: “These bloggers are bullying women, children and elderly people. They write fake stories about celebrities, politicians and businessman and then extort them to have the post taken down.”

The musician claims the ring leader in these extortion and bribery tactics is Tshepo “Lagosh” Mashile, who allegedly pays the blogs to post fake stories about people. He then allegedly goes to the people and extorts them for money to have the stories taken down and splits the money with the blogs.

These are the blogs and bloggers allegedly extorting people daily:

• @Musa_Khawula (X) — owned by Musa Khawula;
• @innomorolong_blog_ (Instagram) — owned by Inno Morolong;
• @ShadyroomSA (Instagram) — allegedly owned by Eva Modika and her sister Michelle Modika; and
• @Thepopcornroomrsa (Instagram) — owned by one women who remains anonymous.

When contacted for comment, Michelle denied the claims that she’s a blogger. “I’m a radio presenter and I don’t have a blog. I’m sitting here at home in Polokwane, doing nothing as I’m unemployed,” she said.

Evo also poured cold water on allegations that she is the one operating the Shadyroom blog. “I know Maphepha Ndaba, and I’m not a blogger. I have a career in being a club DJ … But I know who might have given you this story — I’ll sort that person out,” she said.

Lagosh dismissed the claims that he is the ringleader who facilitates the distribution of information about prominent people to the bloggers.

“I’m not part of the bloggers. I know who runs Maphepha Ndaba and other bloggers, but I’ve stayed away from [the] limelight [since a] long time ago,” he said.

Khawula, who is notorious for sharing scathing allegations about people, is also accused of demanding money to remove fake news posts. He also denied the allegations, saying the evidence may be shared publicly.