Amapiano heavyweight Kabza De Small, one of South Africa’s most celebrated music producers, is at the centre of a legal dispute after his landlord reportedly took him to court over unpaid rent for a luxury apartment in Sandton.
The award-winning artist, whose real name is Kabelo Motha, is widely regarded as one of Mzansi’s most influential musicians and a driving force behind the global rise of amapiano. However, court papers filed at the Johannesburg High Court suggest that behind the scenes, the star is embroiled in a financial disagreement linked to his upscale residence at The Leonardo, one of Sandton’s most prestigious residential complexes.
According to the documents, the apartment is owned by Zolile Dlamini, a chartered accountant who allegedly entered into a lease agreement with Motha in early 2025. The agreement reportedly ran from 2 February 2025 until 31 January 2026, with a monthly rental fee of R95,000. As part of the deal, Motha is said to have paid a deposit of R100,000 before moving into the property, where he stayed with an associate named Nyakallo Mathoka. The lease also stipulated that the rental amount would increase by 10 percent annually.
The dispute appears to have arisen after alleged missed and partial payments in the latter part of 2025. Dlamini claims that in September 2025, the musician paid only R65,000 instead of the full R95,000, leaving a shortfall of R30,000. It is further alleged that no payment was made at all for October 2025. With additional interest and penalties included, the outstanding amount is said to have grown to approximately R345,000.
Dlamini reportedly sent several letters of demand to the artist in an attempt to recover the outstanding money, but claims these were ignored. As a result, the matter was taken to court, with summons issued in an effort to resolve the dispute through legal channels.
Dlamini’s lawyer, Barry Aaron of Barry Aaron and Associates, confirmed that legal action has been instituted. While he declined to discuss the details of the case in the media, he stated that the matter remains unresolved and is now before the court.
On the other hand, Kabza De Small’s legal representatives, Tailormade Legal, have strongly denied the allegations. In a statement, the firm said that Motha rejects any suggestion that he failed to meet his rental obligations. They added that, at the time of the statement, he had not yet received the summons, but maintains that he has always paid his rent through the managing agent, from whom the landlord allegedly accepted payments.
The legal team further said that the musician is committed to clearing his name through the appropriate legal processes and will not be commenting further while the matter is ongoing.
The case has sparked widespread interest, given Kabza De Small’s high-profile status and reputation as one of the country’s most successful producers. As the legal process unfolds, the court will ultimately determine whether the dispute stems from missed payments, administrative issues, or a deeper contractual disagreement between the two parties. For now, both sides appear set on letting the law take its course.