South African actress Nambitha Mpumlwana has found herself in the spotlight for all the wrong reasons after being arrested for allegedly shoplifting lipsticks worth R160 at Dis-Chem in Ferndale Mall.
According to Sunday World, the Soft Life star was taken into custody by Randburg police last week. The news of her arrest surprised many, as she is widely regarded as a respected figure in the entertainment industry.
A police officer, who spoke on condition of anonymity, revealed that they received a call from Dis-Chem’s management about a well-known actress caught stealing. When they arrived at the store, they were told that the suspect was none other than Mpumlwana.
“The management claimed that she took lipsticks worth R160 without paying. But when we questioned her, she said it was just a misunderstanding,” said the officer.
Despite her explanation, the store insisted that the actress face legal consequences rather than being let off with a warning. Mpumlwana was then taken to Randburg Police Station, where she was charged with shoplifting and later released on R1,000 bail
Mpumlwana appeared at the Randburg Magistrate’s Court on March 20. She was not asked to plead, and the case was postponed to May 2, when she is expected to present her defense.
The officer admitted that even they were surprised by the store’s decision to press charges instead of giving her a warning. “In some cases, stores allow suspects to clean up or ban them instead of taking legal action. But in this instance, they wanted to make an example of her,” the cop said.
Following the reports, Mpumlwana addressed the issue briefly, confirming her arrest but insisting it was a misunderstanding.
“It was just a misunderstanding. But send me what you want to know in writing so management can respond,” she said.
She later shared a cryptic post on Instagram that read, “Sometimes you just have to let people be wrong about you.”
This statement led to mixed reactions, with her supporters rallying behind her. Some fans suggested that it could have been an honest mistake, like absentmindedly placing an item in her bag without realising she hadn’t paid for it. Others praised her for handling the situation with dignity.
