Strictly judge Motsi Mabuse will have to face ex husband in court over claims he abused her in her autobiography
MOTSI Mabuse will have to face her ex husband in court as he said: “I wasn’t abusive, I was just being German.”
Timo Kulczak, 46, said his ex dance partner struggled to adapt to the “German way” which meant he had to help “organise” her.
But he continues to deny claims from her autobiography he restricted her access to cash, refused to let her have a baby and decided what she ate.
Talks to avoid a courtroom showdown have collapsed and judges in Germany have ruled South Africa-born Motsi, 42, must now attend a hearing.
Timo, coach of the national German dance squad, said: “For sure, the German character is different from the South African way of living. But she lived here a very long time so she got used to it and liked how organised everything was and how things were functioning because it was organised.”
Timo’s lawyers asked a court to jail her for up to six months or fine her £290,000 if she repeats the claims on their 11-year marriage.
Timo, of Frankfurt, said: “I just wanted the apology. But at the point where you say all further communication is through legal teams, an apology is not enough anymore.”
Timo, who denies being bossy, said they had an agreement never to talk about their private lives.
He said his dance coaching and love life have both been hit by her claims.
Motsi and Timo wed in 2003, divorcing in 2014.
She wed new dance partner, Evgenij Voznyuk, 40, in 2017.
Motsi, sister of Strictly winner Oti Mabuse, 33, joined the show in 2019.