Viral video raises concerns for Babes Wodumo’s safety
JOBURG – South Africa left fuming following viral Babes Wodumo video.
South Africans were left fuming on Monday morning, 4 March, after an Instagram live video showing musician and dancer, Babes Wodumo being assaulted, allegedly by fellow musician and partner, Mampintsha, went viral.
A media release surfaced online in light of the video. According to the release which claimed to be from Babes and Mampintsha, the video was preplanned and done in order to highlight violence against women, however, it has been reported that Babes Wodumo’s sister, Nonduh Simelane, repudiated the claims in the release and confirmed the authenticity of the video.
The video which has since been removed from Babes Wodumo’s Instagram has sparked widespread outrage in the entertainment industry, political realm and public spaces with a majority of people calling for the arrest of Mampintsha. The Economic Freedom Fighters KwaZulu-Natal said it will be opening criminal charges against Mampintsha.
Mamphintsha’s actions have been condemned by Arts and Culture Minister Nathi Mthethwa who said he was absolutely horrified by the musician’s actions.
“We do not only condemn this senseless act but call on Babes Wodumo to immediately press charges against him,” Mthethwa said.
DJ Tira, who has a close relationship with both Babes and Mamphintsha, released a statement distancing himself from the incident even though he did not explicitly call out Mamphintsha in the statement.
“I strongly and wholeheartedly stand by my belief and conviction that no man, and I repeat no man, should ever lay a hand on a woman, no matter what the circumstances,” DJ Tira said.
