Well-known actor Joe Ragwala appeared in court on Tuesday on a charge of intimidation, after allegedly playing another role in a real-life drama, that of family breaker.

Ragwala, who plays Ntshavheni Mukwevho in the popular Tshivenda soap opera Muvhango, was arrested on charges of intimidation. It is alleged that he was arrested for intimidating a local educationist and businessman, Mr Goddard Mugwena, who has accused Ragwala of having an affair with his wife and sending him threatening SMSes.

Ragwala (35), of Hamangilasi in Vuwani, appeared in the Thohoyandou magistrate’s court. He was making his third court appearance after being arrested on May 6, following complaints by Mugwena that someone had sent him threatening SMS messages.

Mugwena accuses the actor of using his popularity to steal the heart of Mugwena’s wife, Dorries.

Mugwena made headlines three years ago when he volunteered to look after the Thinandavha siblings of Mulodi outside Tshilamba, after their mother was ritually murdered. He is still looking after them.

An immaculately dressed Ragwala was accompanied by his lawyer, Mr Wisani Baloyi, who was in the news two years ago, when he pledged R5 000 a month to assist with the medication of Fortune Khumalo, a young boy from Jilongo village in Malamulele, who had his genitals cut off by muti merchants.

Ragwala earlier denied having been romantically involved with the businessman’s wife as well as sending him threatening SMSes. He claimed to have a business relationship with Mugwena´s wife.

Dorries has since moved out of her marital home and is alleged to have moved in with the popular actor at Ha Mangilasi.

His case was postponed to July 30, awaiting the decision of the Director of Public Prosecutions. His bail was extended.

In another development, at the Limpopo High Court in Thohoyandou, the estranged wife of the businessman, Dorries, succeeded on Friday in making the bank unfreeze her 32-days-notice account that the businessman tried to freeze.

Magistrate Mcfrancisco Raphalalani Mantsha presided over the case while Public Prosecutor, Ms Mashudu Nekhumbe, prosecuted.

Vhembe police spokesperson Inspector Nkanukeni Raedani said investigations into Ragwala’s case were continuing.