Emtee’s Father Speaks Out as Rapper Remains in Custody: “How Are We Going to Pay the Rent?”

• Emtee has been in custody since 18 August after allegedly violating a 2023 protection order, with his next court date set for 2 September
• His father, Lumkile Ndevu, travelled from Matatiele to Gauteng and is now staying at Emtee's apartment, trying to secure the rapper's belongings
• A dispute over Emtee's car, bank cards and phones has erupted between his family and his girlfriend, Nandi Ndathane, who obtained protection orders against Emtee's parents

Emtee's arrest has sent shockwaves through his family, with his father, Lumkile Ndevu, left to manage an increasingly complicated situation from the rapper's Gauteng apartment while his son waits behind bars.

The Roll Up hitmaker has been in custody since 18 August after he allegedly violated a protection order that was originally granted in 2023. His next court appearance is scheduled for 2 September.

Emtee's dad speaks as son's legal troubles mount

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Ndevu, who originally came to Gauteng months ago hoping to help his son through a troubled marriage, now finds himself at the centre of a bitter dispute with Emtee's girlfriend, Nandi Ndathane. According to Ndevu, Ndathane has held onto Emtee's car keys, driver's licence and bank cards since the arrest, and an attempt to retrieve the items turned into a confrontation.

He told News24 that Ndathane initially agreed to release the car and two phones, but when the family returned the next day, she allegedly refused to let them into the home. The family later tracked down Emtee's vehicle using a tracking service and recovered it. Ndathane then reportedly arrived with police and presented protection orders against both Ndevu and his wife.

A video of the family confronting Ndathane over the vehicle subsequently circulated online. Ndevu was clear about the family's intentions: "We're not fighting for his stuff. When he was arrested, we talked with everybody and said, 'Let's secure Emtee's stuff while he's inside, because there's nobody who's going to pay rent for the accommodation.' We want to secure them."

Emtee's girlfriend responds to family's allegations

Ndathane offered a different version of events, telling News24 that Emtee had specifically asked her to look after his possessions until he was released. She said she had continued caring for their shared home in Rivonia throughout the ordeal. On the protection orders taken out against Emtee's parents, she explained that she acted out of concern for her own safety during what she described as a difficult and uncertain period. She expressed hope that both sides could eventually sit down and focus on Emtee's wellbeing.

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Beyond the property dispute, the financial strain has become a pressing concern. Emtee had been a key source of income for the household, and his absence has left the family uncertain about how to cover basic costs.

"Imagine how we are going to pay the rent, food, it's a problem now," Ndevu said.

For Ndevu, who is approaching 60 and says he had never previously dealt with legal trouble, the situation has taken a personal toll. He now carries a protection order against his name following the confrontation with Ndathane, and his life in Matatiele remains on hold.

He believes his son's generous nature has repeatedly made him a target for the wrong people, and his greatest hope is for Emtee to find stability once he is back home.

Zakes Bantwini prays for Emtee

Meanwhile, Briefly News previously reported that Grammy-winning DJ Zakes Bantwini posted a message for jailed rapper Emtee on social media.

On the other hand, Nota Baloyi called out the rapper's fans and family for failing to visit the rapper in prison.

Source: Briefly News