By Celebrity news desk
Photo: Ndoyisile_n Tk
JOHANNESBURG — Zimbabwean-born TikTok star and fashion entrepreneur Ndoyisile Ndumiso Sibindi has hit back at viral social media claims suggesting he has been arrested by immigration officials and is facing deportation from South Africa.
Taking to his Instagram Stories, the high-profile influencer flatly denied the reports, labeling them as malicious “fake news” designed to exploit current online tensions.
The Spark: A Top Billing Audition Gone Wrong
The sudden wave of deportation rumors follows intense digital backlash over Sibindi’s recent video audition for the highly anticipated Top Billing presenter search.
While the audition showcased his signature style and ambition, it quickly went viral for all the wrong reasons. A section of South African netizens reacted with fierce hostility, dredging up Sibindi’s past controversial commentary regarding South Africa’s public infrastructure. The situation rapidly deteriorated into a wider, highly charged debate on X (formerly Twitter) about foreign nationals occupying spaces in the local entertainment industry.
As the backlash peaked, unverified reports surfaced claiming that authorities had detained Sibindi for allegedly overstaying a student visa.
Sibindi Proves Detractors Wrong
Faced with a trending narrative about his downfall, Sibindi moved quickly to set the record straight.
He shared screenshots of the viral fake news headlines on his Instagram account, overlaying them with captions mocking the fabrications. To put a definitive end to the speculation, he posted live video updates showing him relaxing safely at his home, accompanied by his dog.
”It’s the lies for me,” Sibindi captioned one of his updates, reassuring his followers that he is entirely free and undisturbed by the internet campaign against him.
A Toxic Pattern in Digital Spaces
Sibindi’s ordeal highlights a growing, troubling trend within the local digital landscape, where weaponized rumors of legal trouble and deportation are frequently used to target foreign-born creators whenever they achieve high visibility or spark public outrage.
Having originally moved to South Africa after fleeing severe homophobic persecution and family rejection in Zimbabwe, Sibindi has built a resilient brand in Johannesburg. By tackling the viral hoax head-on, the influencer has made it clear that he will not be intimidated or driven offline by a coordinated cyber-campaign.
