A video in which singer and dancer Babes Wodumo can be seen being beaten, allegedly by her partner Mampintsha, had South Africa seething on Monday morning.
He has been accused of beating her before.
The footage is apparently from a live Instagram video broadcast she was doing with fans overnight.
Although she or someone else allegedly deleted the original video, clips of it have nevertheless been doing the rounds, especially on Twitter, where the videos have been trending all morning.
Arts and Culture Minister Nathi Mthethwa was quick to condemn violence against women on Monday, saying he was “absolutely horrified” by the “senseless act” and encouraged Babes Wodumo, real name Bongekile Simelane, to lay charges against Mampintsha, a member of the award-winning Kwaito group Big Nuz. His real name is Mandla Maphumulo.
Wodumo and her fellow performer have had a rocky relationship. They broke up and then got back together last year.
Wodumo and Mampintsha are understood to live together at Mampintsha’s house in Westville, Durban.
Many have expressed concern that she currently is pregnant, a development the tabloids have reported contributed to the couple trying to stay together.
When asked about alleged abuse in the past, Mampintsha reportedly once said he may have “overreacted in a couple of incidents”.
(Compiled by Charles Cilliers)
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