Lerato Molwelang, a former Shoprite employee, has broken her silence following the circulation of a widely shared explicit video allegedly involving her and a man identified as Ivo Suzee.
In an official public statement, Molwelang confirmed that she is the individual seen in the footage. However, she strongly denied consenting to the lawful production, distribution, or monetisation of the video, stating that she was misled and exploited by a casting agency.
Molwelang said she did not sign any contract or agreement authorizing the recording or sharing of the content and emphasized that she did not provide informed consent for how the footage has been used or distributed online.
She warned that any continued sharing, reposting, editing, or monetisation of the video is unauthorized and may result in legal action against individuals, pages, or entities involved in its circulation.
In her statement, Molwelang also addressed the spread of a Facebook account claiming to belong to her, clarifying that the account is fake and not affiliated with her in any way. She stated that she only operates her official Facebook and Instagram accounts, and that any content or information shared outside of those platforms should be considered false and misleading.
Her response comes amid intense public discussion and online reactions, as she seeks to assert her legal rights and stop further distribution of the content.
SAPS Issues Warning Over Alleged Online Casting Scam
The controversy coincides with a warning from the South African Police Service (SAPS) regarding a man identified as Ivo Suzee, who is alleged to be operating a fraudulent online casting and recruitment scheme known as “African Audition.”
According to SAPS, the suspect allegedly uses deceptive advertisements and false promises of modeling or entertainment opportunities to lure women and young girls. Victims are reportedly invited to what they believe are legitimate auditions or interviews, during which they may be sexually exploited.
Authorities allege that some of these encounters are recorded and that explicit material is later distributed or publicized without consent.
SAPS stated that such actions may violate multiple laws, including the Cybercrimes Act 19 of 2020, the Films and Publications Act 65 of 1996 (as amended), and other sexual offense–related legislation.
“This is a serious matter that poses a direct threat to young women and girls,” SAPS officials said. “The public is urged to remain vigilant, carefully verify any casting or recruitment offers, and immediately report suspicious activity to law enforcement.”
The situation remains under public scrutiny as authorities continue to warn against online casting scams and victims seek legal protection.
