DA meets with Babes Wodumo’s family to show support
The party says it became clear in its meeting with the family that Mampintsha is using every possible means to discredit the victim.
Babes Wodumo posted this image of her and Mampintsha on Instagram
The Democratic Alliance (DA) in KwaZulu-Natal met with the sister and manager of Bongekile Simelane, commonly known as Babes Wodumo, to offer comfort, support, and give reassurance that the party was on the singer’s side “following this horrible ordeal she went through”.
This follows a video that went viral this week where Babes Wodumo was seen being beaten by her partner Mandla Maphumulo, known as Mampintsha, said the DA’s Hlanganani Gumbi in a statement on Thursday.
“In our meeting, it became clear that Babes and the entire family are currently not in a good state. What also became clear is that Mampintsha is using every possible means to discredit the victim and assassinate her character.
“We are hopeful that our support to the victim will give strength to her as she goes through this ordeal,” Gumbi said.
The party called on South Africans to show support to Babes Wodumo’s family “during this difficult time”.
“Too often, victims of abuse are left with no choice but to withdraw charges against the abuser because of either lack of support or trust in the criminal justice system. Victims time and again have to wait for lengthy periods to realise full justice on such matters.
“It is for this reason that we call upon the South African Police Service and the courts to use this case as an opportunity to showcase the strength of the criminal justice system and give back hope to the millions of women who face abuse on a daily basis.”
The DA is not the only political party that has rallied behind the singer, with the Economic Freedom Fighters opening a case against Mampintsha after the live Instagram video showing Babes Wodumo being assaulted by him went viral.
Meanwhile, a case of common assault has been opened against the Wololo hitmaker and three other women in Durban.
Wodumo, with three other women, is accused of assaulting a woman who allegedly leaked video footage of the hitmaker chatting to a group of people about her ordeal with Mampintsha.
READ MORE: WATCH: Wodumo allegedly assaulted woman for leaking video on Monday, case opened
(Compiled by Makhosandile Zulu)
For more news your way, download The Citizen’s app for iOS and Android.
For more news your way
Download our app and read this and other great stories on the move. Available for Android and iOS.
