Many South Africans have threatened to boycott Virgin Active after reports that it withdrew its case against a man who was caught on camera allegedly masturbating in one of its gyms.
On Wednesday, radio personality Anele Mdoda cancelled her membership with the health club in what she described as a "good" feeling.
In May, a video of an 18-year-old man went viral after he appeared to be fondling his private parts in full view of other gym members. Many suspected he was masturbating after being aroused by a female gym member who was in the middle of a workout.
The incident took place at a Virgin Active gym in Stellenbosch and members and social media users demanded the franchise take action.
But Virgin Active withdrew the charges, saying the man needed pschycological help.
Taking to Twitter, Mdoda said her decision to cancel her membership was prompted by Virgin Active's handling of the case, adding that she would "swim elsewhere".
Virgin Active membership cancelled. That felt good.
— Anele Mdoda (@Anele) June 19, 2019
Nope. Didn’t like the way they handled that man who was sexually violating a woman in one of their gyms. So I decided to cancel my membership 🕺🕺🕺🕺 cause ke its their business after all and they can do what they want so let me remove myself :) will just have to swim elsewhere https://t.co/fvRHoftBe4
— Anele Mdoda (@Anele) June 19, 2019
Many supported Mdoda's decision. Here is a snapshot of some of the reactions to her move:
I respect this move a lot, Anele. I think we often keep supporting brands that will not address serious matters and the only way to teach them a lesson is to punish them economically - the only language they understand. We are too forgiving& keep supporting them,hence no change.
— Amanda (@AmzPotz) June 19, 2019
I did the same with Uber eats. After they found no wrong with their systems ordering twice for me. ts their business after all and they can do what they want so let me remove myself :)
— Void Orchestrator (@NullOrchestrato) June 19, 2019
The feeling is liberating 🙌🏾
— Reneilwe Ramsy (@Reneilwe_Ramsy) June 19, 2019
Good move. Trust me you will enjoy things now, your house is a gym itself😊🙌🏾
— Lona Benya (@linamandlab) June 19, 2019
You did good. They must be hurt where it matters most!!
— Palesa Mosia (@PaleighMM) June 19, 2019
