The South African pay-TV operator M-Net has hired a lawyer following shocking allegations of a rape which took place on Saturday night in the latest season of the tawdry TV reality show Big Brother Mzansi.
The shocking allegations of a male contestant who boasted that he had sex with a passed out female contestant has once again brought shock and scandal to M-Net, the Mzansi Magic (DStv 161) channel and MultiChoice's DStv which broadcast the show on two dedicated Big Brother Mzansi channels and which is produced by Endemol Shine Africa.
The male contestant Adams (Siyanda Ngwenya) was expelled and Endemol Shine Africa also removed the woman, Bexx (Axola Mbengo) on Monday evening "for her well-being” from the voyeuristic reality show, after he bragged to fellow contestants that "I dipped her but I don't think she remembers because she passed out".
The distraught woman later told fellow contestants that she didn't consent to any sex with the man.
Earlier on Saturday night, the woman was pressed in-between the same man and another male contestant and then kissed and groped against her will. Both men were cautioned by the producers about their inappropriate behaviour but left in the house.
M-Net says it has now hired the law firm, Cliffe Dekker Hofmeyr to investigate "the processes surrounding the recent incident in the Big Brother house".
M-Net tells TV with Thinus that M-Net is paying for the law firm "but it must be stressed that the investigation is an independent investigation".
"M-Net takes these matters seriously, and the well-being of contestants is of the utmost importance," says Yolisa Phahle, M-Net South Africa CEO in a statement.
M-Net tells TV with Thinus that M-Net is paying for the law firm "but it must be stressed that the investigation is an independent investigation".
"M-Net takes these matters seriously, and the well-being of contestants is of the utmost importance," says Yolisa Phahle, M-Net South Africa CEO in a statement.
"It is necessary for M-Net to understand what transpired and we
will take necessary action, if required, once the investigation is concluded," says Yolisa Phahle, who gave no time frame for the investigation.
According to M-Net, production company Endemol Shine Africa "has offered their full co-operation with the investigation".
A year ago a male contestant was expelled for physically assaulting a female contestant in Big Brother Mzansi.
Then M-Net told TV with Thinus that its an "isolated incident" and that "viewers understand that these isolated incidents do not represent our brand".
While South Africa has a huge societal problem with violence against women and rape, M-Net continues to run the Endemol Shine Africa show on MultiChoice's DStv which appears to offer very little protection to women.
Then M-Net told TV with Thinus that its an "isolated incident" and that "viewers understand that these isolated incidents do not represent our brand".
While South Africa has a huge societal problem with violence against women and rape, M-Net continues to run the Endemol Shine Africa show on MultiChoice's DStv which appears to offer very little protection to women.
