Justice Department denies arrest of ‘Biri Marung’ hitmaker Tebogo G Mashego

Katlego Sekhu

A viral video showing police forcing Tebogo G Mashego into a van sparked claims that the musician had been arrested in Pretoria West.
Authorities later clarified that he was not arrested, but police were called in after he allegedly displayed abnormal behaviour and assaulted people.
Officials said the intervention was carried out purely for public safety, correcting misinformation spreading on social media.

Several reports on Heritage Day suggested that Biri Marung hitmaker Tebogo G Mashego had been arrested after a video circulated on social media showing police placing him in the back of a van in Pretoria West while he resisted.

However, South Africa’s Justice, Crime Prevention and Security page on X clarified that the 23-year-old was not arrested.

Instead, local police were called to intervene after he allegedly displayed abnormal behaviour and assaulted people.

The statement read:

“Tebogo G Mashego has not been arrested. Information received indicates that he displayed abnormal behaviour and allegedly acted violently, assaulting people without apparent cause. Laudium SAPS members were summoned to the scene and, in the interest of public safety, had to forcefully remove him from the community as he was visibly resisting.”

[CLARIFICATION ON TEBOGO G. MASHEGO INCIDENT]

Tebogo G. Mashego has not been arrested. Information received indicates that he displayed an abnormal behaviour and allegedly acted violently, assaulting people without apparent cause. Laudium SAPS members were summoned to the scene… https://t.co/eirGaZ0Mwx

— Justice, Crime Prevention and Security (@CrimeWatch_RSA) September 24, 2025

The musician also made headlines last Saturday, 20 September 2025, when a video of him ranting about being stranded in Nigeria went viral.

In the live recording, a visibly distraught Mashego lashed out at DJ Maphorisa and other industry peers whom he accused of wronging him.