According to The Conversation, South Africa has notoriously high levels of violence against women. Which is not new to many of us. As there have been a lot of incidences that have and are still being reported.
The latest police figures also show that 10,818 rape cases had been reported in the first quarter of 2022. As a result, the country has among the highest rape incidences in the world.
Then, as for Moja LOVE to portray such disturbing scenes. On one of their most watched shows, Isencane Lengane appears to be insensitive.
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In the recent episode of Isencane Lengane, Thando Msomi is seen experiencing Gender-Based Violence (GBV) at the hands of Siyacela Dlamuka.
What’s troubling about this episode is that Moja Love proceeded to air this episode. Regardless of the occurrences of violence in the country and worldwide.
Since then the channel Moja Love has issued a statement to to profusely apologise for upsetting the viewers.
But the damage has already been done.
While the reason for airing this specific episode was to teach about GBV and all the social ills that takes place in our societies.
Many fans and followers did not see it in the same light and were offended in many ways to say the least.
“The most recent episode of Isencane Lengane, on Moja LOVE (DStv Channel 157), saw couple Siyacela Dlamuka and Thando Msomi engage in a heated argument, leading to Siyacela becoming violent towards her. Following the broadcast of this episode, there has been uproar with some labelling this as irresponsible broadcasting” reads Moja LOVE’s statement.
Evidently, South Africa is faced with the high numbers of GBV as well as Femicide. So, for Moja Love to continue to broadcast an episode that will trigger scores of people.
Be it they are victims of GBV or advocates for this pandemic, it had a huge impact on the viewership.
This is because even after the statement had been released, viewers are suggesting that the show should be cancelled. Since there is nothing to be learnt from it.
It also goes back to when the show was first broadcast, it seemed like a bad idea to begin with. So this stunt makes it even worse.
It is only a matter of time before emails of complaints are forwarded to the Broadcasting Complaints Commission of South Africa.