…By Joseph Benjamin for TDPel Media.
Actress and deejay Thuli Phongolo laid charges against her boyfriend, DJ Maphorisa, for allegedly assaulting her, only to later withdraw the case.
The swift police response to her case has angered some social media users, who question the bias shown in dealing with celebrity gender-based violence cases compared to those of the general public.
With gender-based violence at its highest in South Africa, some say that if police used the same energy to arrest every other suspect, the world would be a better place.
Analysis:
The issue of gender-based violence in South Africa is a serious concern, with many unattended and neglected cases resulting in dire consequences.
While the prompt response by police to attend to Thuli Phongolo’s case is commendable, the withdrawal of the charges has left some social media users questioning the bias shown to celebrities.
They argue that if the police could use the same energy to arrest every other gender-based violence suspect, the world would be a better place.
Moreover, the quick arrest of Maphorisa following Phongolo’s complaint shows that the police are capable of rescuing victims of GBV.
However, it is unclear why the police respond more efficiently to celebrity cases compared to those of the general public.
It is also unclear why the complainant withdrew the case, and this raises questions about the effectiveness of the justice system in dealing with gender-based violence cases.
It is important for law enforcement agencies to apply the same level of diligence and attention to all gender-based violence cases, whether the victim is a celebrity or an ordinary citizen.
Celebrities are not immune to gender-based violence, and their cases should not be treated any differently from those of the general public.
The withdrawal of charges in this case raises concerns about the difficulties victims face in pursuing justice and the need to ensure the justice system is more accessible and effective.