King Monada-Award-winning Limpopo-born artist King Monada has once again found himself embroiled in legal trouble after failing to honour a performance booking, resulting in a court ruling that will cost him nearly R50,000.
The Nkowankowa Magistrate’s Court has ordered King Monada, real name Khutso Steven Kgatle, to pay back R49,000 to event promoter Eric Thoka. The ruling, handed down on July 25, 2025, also includes legal costs, further compounding the financial hit for the “Idibala” and “Skabhora Moreki” hitmaker.
According to court documents and statements made by Thoka, the dispute stems from a December 2022 booking for a New Year’s Day 2023 music festival in Lebowakgomo, Limpopo. Thoka alleges he paid King Monada the full performance fee upfront, printed promotional materials, and began selling tickets with Monada billed as the headline act.
However, to the dismay of fans and organizers, King Monada failed to appear at the event.
A Costly No-Show for King Monada
“We were left stranded on the day of the event. When we contacted him to check on his location, he said he was in Pretoria but would make it in time. As the time came closer for his set, his phone went off,” Thoka told Sunday World.
Thoka further claimed that Monada later complained about the agreed payment, saying the amount wasn’t sufficient for a headline artist. Despite allegedly promising to return the money, no refund was ever made. After months of what Thoka described as “excuses,” he decided to pursue legal action.
“The court ruled in our favour and ordered him to refund us. But given his arrogance, I wouldn’t be surprised if he tries to appeal. He didn’t even show up in court—his lawyer attended and took instructions from him over the phone,” Thoka said.
Thoka emphasized that the legal matter was never personal but rather about recovering funds after a business agreement was breached.
“It’s a pity it had to go this far, but we needed to recover our money after he humiliated us. I’ll never book him again,” he added.
This is not the first time King Monada has landed in hot water over performance issues. In 2024, the Limpopo Artists Movement (LAM), led by chairperson Mphoza Mashabela, also took legal action against the artist for a similar no-show. In that case, too, the court ruled in favour of the complainant, finding that Monada had accepted payment but failed to honour the agreement or provide a refund.
Mashabela previously told media that Monada’s unprofessional conduct has had a damaging impact on the local music scene, especially for event organizers and fans in Limpopo who invest heavily in such shows.
“His repeated behaviour is unacceptable. Artists must understand that professionalism is key, especially when fans spend money expecting to see them perform,” Mashabela stated at the time.
Thoka, who operates as a local promoter and event organizer in Limpopo, said the fallout from Monada’s no-show caused both financial and reputational damage to his business.
“We spent money on venue, advertising, sound, security, and staff. We printed thousands of flyers and posters promoting King Monada as the main act. When he didn’t show up, it wasn’t just about the performance fee—it was about all the other investments made based on that agreement,” said Thoka.
He added that many attendees demanded refunds, and some have since refused to attend events organized by his company due to the fiasco.
As of now, King Monada has not released a public statement regarding the court ruling. His legal representative was present during the proceedings, but Monada himself did not attend the hearing in person.
The silence from the artist has left fans and promoters wondering whether he will comply with the court order or pursue an appeal. Industry insiders suggest that if Monada continues to ignore legal judgments, it could seriously harm his reputation and future booking opportunities—particularly within Limpopo, where his fanbase has historically been strongest.
While King Monada continues to enjoy popularity through his music, repeated court losses and performance controversies could tarnish his professional image. Promoters, fans, and industry stakeholders are calling for more accountability and professionalism from artists, especially those with significant influence.
As the legal dust settles, it remains to be seen whether King Monada will take this latest ruling as a wake-up call—or risk alienating the very community that helped build his career.
Source- Fakaza
