Media personality Unathi Nkayi was arrested for alleged drunk driving in Robindale, Johannesburg on Friday 16 May 2026 and subsequently opened a case of crimen injuria against a JMPD officer who allegedly swore at her during the incident. Image: @unathi.africa on Instagram
Media personality Unathi Nkayi was arrested for alleged drunk driving on Boundary Road in Robindale, Johannesburg at approximately 11pm on Friday 16 May 2026 after being stopped during a JMPD operation. An altercation ensued during which a JMPD officer allegedly swore at her. Nkayi has since opened a case of crimen injuria against the officer. Blood test results are pending and the drunk driving docket has not yet been placed on the court roll.
South African media personality, singer and actress Unathi Nkayi was arrested for alleged drunk driving in the early hours of Saturday 17 May 2026 after being stopped by Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department officers on Boundary Road in Robindale at approximately 11pm on Friday night. The incident escalated into a verbal altercation between Nkayi and a JMPD officer, resulting in Nkayi opening a case of crimen injuria against the officer at the Linden Police Station the following day. She was released on bail and warned to appear before the Randburg Magistrate’s Court on 18 May 2026.
What Happened on the Night
According to a police summary statement linked to the crimen injuria case registered at Linden Police Station, Nkayi was in the process of being arrested for alleged drunk driving when a JMPD officer requested to search her vehicle. Nkayi objected to the search, refusing to allow officers to conduct it without her permission. A verbal altercation followed between Nkayi and a female JMPD officer described in the statement as a black, short, skinny officer with light brown braids.
According to the police statement, the officer allegedly said the words “f**k you Unathi” without provocation during the altercation. The incident was witnessed by other police officers present at the scene. Nkayi was arrested, processed and subsequently released on bail.
The Cases That Followed
On Saturday 17 May 2026 Nkayi opened a case of crimen injuria against the JMPD officer at the Linden Police Station. JMPD spokesperson Captain Tintswalo Sibeko confirmed the case. “A case of crimen injuria was opened at Linden Police Station on 17 May 2026. No arrest has been made, and the investigation is ongoing,” Sibeko said.
On the drunk driving matter, Sibeko confirmed that a case had been opened. “The suspect was arrested during a JMPD operation and was later released on bail and warned to appear before the Randburg Magistrate’s Court on May 18. However, the docket has not yet been placed on the court roll pending the blood test results. Investigations are ongoing,” she said.
The blood test results, which are standard procedure in drunk driving cases and are used to determine the suspect’s blood alcohol level at the time of the alleged offence, are still outstanding at the time of publication. Until those results are received and the docket is formally placed on the court roll, the drunk driving charge cannot formally proceed.
Nkayi Has Not Responded Publicly
Unathi Nkayi had not issued any public statement regarding the incident at the time of publication. Her management had also not responded to media inquiries. The incident occurred on the same weekend that Nkayi found herself at the centre of another public controversy following her boy mom comments in relation to the Bonko Khoza and Nirvana Nokwe-Mseleku sexual violation allegations.
Who Is Unathi Nkayi
Unathi Nkayi is one of South Africa’s most recognisable media personalities. She rose to national prominence as a judge on Idols SA, a position she held from Season 7 to Season 17. She has also built a career as a singer, actress and television presenter. She was previously employed as a radio host at Kaya 959 before her contract was terminated in 2021 following an alleged altercation with colleague Sizwe Dhlomo, a matter that subsequently led to protracted legal proceedings between Nkayi and the station.
Editors Note Unathi Nkayi is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. The drunk driving charge has not been formally placed on the court roll pending blood test results at the time of publication. The crimen injuria case against the JMPD officer is under investigation. Mzansi Today Live will update this article as further information becomes available.