‘Domestic abuse is not entertainment’ — Law enforcement agency slams ‘Isencane Lengane’

South Africa’s Justice, Crime Prevention and Security (JCPS), along with advocacy groups and concerned viewers, has criticised Moja Love’s reality show Isencane Lengane for allegedly showcasing domestic abuse.

The backlash follows a recent episode, on 20 April, of Isencane Lengane that sparked public outrage, leading to growing calls for the show’s cancellation.

In the episode of the show that follows a young married teenage couple, Thando Msomi and Siyacela Dlamuka, Siyacela threatened to beat Thando with a sjambok during a heated argument.

JCPS condemned the channel, saying airing content that portrays domestic abuse under the guise of entertainment is dangerous.

“Media platforms have a moral and social responsibility to promote content that upholds the dignity, safety, and rights of all individuals.

“Broadcasting acts of domestic abuse or violence in any form — whether under the guise of reality television or entertainment — is a gross violation of this responsibility. It sends a dangerous message that violence can be exploited for public spectacle,” the statement reads.

Activist group Women for Change also slammed Isencane Lengane, accusing the channel of normalising and trivialising gender-based violence.

“By broadcasting such abuse without adequate intervention and accountability, Moja Love is normalising and trivialising gender-based violence, sending the harmful message that abuse is acceptable if it brings in viewers.

“In a country where women and children are raped, beaten, and killed every day, this kind of programming is not only tone-deaf — it is a betrayal of every victim and survivor.”

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Moja Love responds to ‘Isencane Lengane’ backlash

Responding to The Citizen’s media enquiry, Moja Love said that complaints have been lodged with the Broadcasting Complaints Commission of South Africa (BCCSA) and are being handled by the channel’s legal department.

“It is important to mention that the show is a reality series that showcases real-life stories and embraces various cultural aspects of the lives of the main cast.

“The channel does not condone any acts of violence and/or intimidation,” the channel added.

Moja Love further cited a 2023 BCCSA Tribunal ruling, which found that the show had not violated any broadcasting codes in a previous case.

The tribunal reviewed an episode aired on 22 January 2023, in which the channel was accused of airing gender-based violence without critique.

According to the judgment, the BCCSA found no breach of Clause 10 of the Code of Conduct, stating that there was no incitement to violence or advocacy of gender-based hatred.

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