The National Prosecuting Authority has confirmed the reinstatement of an assault case against Nokwazi Ngonyama, wife of former South African ambassador to Japan Smuts Ngonyama, for allegedly beating domestic worker Tandiswa Tokwe in Tokyo in 2023. The case, which was struck off the court roll in August due to delays, will be re-enrolled with a summons to be served by mid-November. Tokwe expressed frustration over procedural hurdles during a press conference marking two years since filing the charge.
On 29 October 2025, Tandiswa Tokwe held a press conference in East London, exactly two years after opening a case of assault with intent to do grievous bodily harm against Nokwazi Ngonyama. The incident occurred on 14 July 2023 at the ambassadorial residence in Tokyo, where Tokwe, employed since May 2019, alleged Ngonyama struck her three times on her thighs and arms with a broomstick without reason. According to Tokwe, Ngonyama demanded, “You have to tell me, what is going on in the house?” to which she replied, “I don’t know. There is nothing happening here.”
Following the assault, the Department of International Relations and Cooperation sent an official to Tokyo. Ngonyama and her husband apologised, and Tokwe briefly continued her job but quit on 27 July 2023 due to fear, returning to South Africa.
The case faced multiple delays. In 2024, attempts to serve a summons failed as Ngonyama refused acceptance. She avoided court appearances by claiming illness until appearing on 31 January 2025 in Mdantsane Magistrates’ Court. Her lawyers argued the court lacked jurisdiction over the Tokyo incident, but the Director of Public Prosecutions rejected this. They appealed to National Director of Public Prosecutions Shamila Batohi, causing further postponements.
By 29 August 2025, with the NDPP's decision still pending, Ngonyama’s lawyer requested the case be struck off the roll; the prosecutor did not object, and the magistrate agreed. Tokwe, through her sister Noluthando Snobolo, described the assault as “a traumatic experience that still haunts me to this day” and questioned the prosecutor's inaction, asking, “Is it because I am a lesser person?” She credited the Commission for Gender Equality for initial charges.
Eastern Cape DPP spokesperson Luxolo Tyali stated the prosecution was ready to proceed and found the dismissal puzzling, as the defence sought the review. A new summons will be served by mid-November 2025 to reinstate the case. Smuts and Nokwazi Ngonyama had not responded to requests for comment.