Babes Wodumo outcry: yes, you can open a case on behalf of a victim of abuse

05 March 2019 - 08:00
By Naledi Shange
Babes Wodumo was allegedly abused by her partner, Mampintsha.
Image: Instagram/Babes Wodumo Babes Wodumo was allegedly abused by her partner, Mampintsha.

If a victim of physical abuse by a spouse or partner is too afraid or declines to open a case, despite there being evidence of the abuse, a third party is legally entitled to open a case on their behalf.

It’s the answer to a question that was asked repeatedly as a national outcry gathered steam on Monday over a video allegedly depicting musician Mandla Maphumulo, known as Mampintsha, assaulting his girlfriend Bongekile Simelane, known to fans as Babes Wodumo.