A public dispute has erupted between former Big Brother Mzansi contestants Sweet Guluva and Ashley Ogle over the paternity of Ogle’s newborn son, with both parties releasing conflicting statements about attempts to resolve the matter .
Ogle surprised fans on Valentine’s Day by introducing her baby boy, Kenzo-Lushe, on social media . The announcement sparked immediate speculation about the father’s identity, with many social media users linking the child to Sweet Guluva, whose real name is Akhonamathemba Zwane . The pair met and dated during the show’s fifth season, earning the nickname “SweetAsh” from fans before their relationship ended .
Sweet Guluva’s Statement
Sweet Guluva broke his silence on Tuesday, 17 February 2026, through a statement from his management team . The statement revealed that since the beginning of 2025, he has privately requested Ogle to allow him to meet the child and for his family to visit hers to address the issue of damages in accordance with Zulu culture .
“Sweet Guluva has since the beginning of 2025 privately requesting ms Ogle, who claimed to have been impregnated by Sweet Guluva to allow him to meet the child, and for his family to visit ms Ogle’s family to address the issue of damages in accordance with Zulu culture,” the statement read .
The statement claimed that to date, Sweet Guluva has neither met nor seen the child in person, as Ogle has refused his requests . His team said all previous attempts to resolve the matter privately have been documented and submitted to legal representatives .
“Until ms Ogle allows Sweet Guluva and his family to meet the child in person and be permitted to do paternity test, it would be irresponsible of Sweet Guluva at this stage to confirm or deny that he is the father of ms Ogle’s child,” the statement added .
The statement also referenced a viral video in which Ogle was asked about the father of her baby and responded with “jwang” or “jwaang,” a Sesotho term Sweet Guluva had used in a TikTok video, which some social media users interpreted as confirmation .
Ashley Ogle’s Response
Ogle issued her own statement firmly denying Sweet Guluva’s claims .
“I would like to put it on record that no such attempt has been made to me and my family,” she said. “I cannot deny access to someone that has made no attempt to be part of the pregnancy or the birth of my son” .
She revealed that the last communication she had with Sweet Guluva was after the birth of her son, and his only concern was whether his name appeared on the birth certificate .
“The last contact I had with Akhonamathemba Zwane was after the birth of my son, and the only thing that he wanted to know was if he was registered on the birth certificate,” she explained. “I responded, ‘No, I didn’t register you as you were not present'” .
Ogle said Sweet Guluva requested to meet in a public space, but she declined because she had just given birth and was not comfortable .
Regarding the mention of Zulu cultural practices, Ogle said her parents were disrespected throughout her pregnancy and that proper procedure was not followed .
“I have gone to hell and back throughout my pregnancy while enduring all the public bullying from his fans and some of his friends — public humiliation, defamatory remarks, judging me about my mental health at his family gatherings, and sharing my private life with former housemates, his family, his friends and his fans,” she stated .
Ogle concluded by saying she has nothing further to discuss with him and that all future communication will go through her legal representatives .
Public Reaction
Social media users have reacted strongly to the conflicting statements, with opinions sharply divided . Many expressed sympathy for Ogle, with one user commenting, “No woman should ever endure something like this. I’m so sorry, Ashley” . Others criticised the involvement of lawyers, with one user noting, “They do the deed, when it’s time to talk and take care of the child, they want to talk to you. Where do lawyers enter!” .
The matter now appears headed for legal proceedings, with both parties indicating they will communicate through their representatives going forward .
