On Sunday night, singer Babes Wodumo was on the receiving end of a nasty beating, allegedly by her ex-boyfriend Mandla “Mampintsha” Maphumulo.
But as she was being slapped across the bedroom, whimpering in fear, she did what not many victims of abuse would do in that situation.
The 24-year-old, real name Bongekile Simelane, broadcast the attack live to her Instagram followers.
The Gqom star let her fans into her home and gave them a glimpse of the terrifying and traumatic conditions she has had to endure with the allegedly violent music producer.
And it was there for all to see. It was no act.
It was an extraordinary thing to have done at the time.
Under physical attack, rather than flee, or grab a phone to call for help, she decided instead to make a video.
And rather than show the recording to the police, a family member or friend, she shared it on social media.
Whether this was an instinctive or a calculated move, strategically, Babes could not have hoped for a better outcome.
Within hours, all of social media expressed outrage at Mampintsha and wanted to see him arrested and behind bars.
The whole nation, fellow musicians, politicians, and ordinary men and women, all rallied behind Babes, and condemned gender-based violence.
Minister Nathi Mthethwa encouraged the Wololo singer to lay charges.
Even Mmusi Maimane challenged Mampintsha to “three rounds in a boxing ring”. True story.
For making the video, Babes has been hailed a hero for not only shining the light on her own abusive circumstances, but those of all women suffering under patriarchal power.
SHOCK: Beating filmed. PHOTO: SCREENSHOT
She eventually did lay charges against her now ex, who was arrested and released on bail of R2000 soon afterwards.
By that time, was it even necessary to go the legal route?
Babes had already made sure Mampintsha was convicted and sentenced in the court of public opinion on social media.
He is finished, klaar, his name is tarnished and his career is over.
Happy ending? Not quite. It’s a bit more complicated than that.
In his defence, the producer claims the attack was provoked, and that Babes is no angel.
“At times she beats our drivers. She is also violent and fights a lot,” he says.
He has since laid counter charges of assault against her.
Babes is also facing a separate assault case, after a woman laid a charge in KZN this week.
The estranged couple apparently have a history of abuse together, some say dating back to when she was a teen. Before he made her famous and introduced her to the high life.
Once you’ve become used to the lekker lewe, it’s hard going back.
This is why so many women put up with abusive relationships for so long.
So well done to Babes.
With this one video, she’s found a way to exit her relationship, maintain her high profile (perhaps even boost it further) and ruin her allegedly abusive ex -berk.
What she essentially did was film her own episode of Keeping up with the Kardashians.
Except it was real. Real shocking.