Staff ReporterSouth Africans have reacted angrily to a live video of a singer being beaten by what appears to be her boyfriend.
Bongekile Simelane, known by the stage name Babes Wodumo, was talking to fans on Instagram Live in a bedroom when she was slapped repeatedly.
Babes Wodumo is trending on Twitter in South Africa, as is the hashtag #StopWomenAbuse.
Culture Minister Nathi Mthethwa said he was “horrified” and called on the singer to press charges.
“1. We’re absolutley [sic] horrified by the actions of Musician Mapmpintsha @MampintshaNuz caught on video where he brutally abuses Internationally celebrated Artist @BABESWODUMO,” he tweeted, naming her boyfriend Mandla Maphumulo, also known as Mampintsha.
“We do not only condemn this senseless act but call on @BABESWODUMO to immediately press charges against him,” he added.
Mr Maphumulo has not commented on the video but in relation to similar accusations last year, he denied being an “abuser”,. But he also added that he was “he was no saint”.
“I may have overreacted in a couple of incidents during our relationship with her over certain things,” he said.
The singer’s sister, Nonduh Simelane, told entertainment news site The Juice that the 24-year-old Gqom singer was “traumatised but doing okay and is resting”.
She also dismissed suggestions on social media that the video was set up to highlight the plight of domestic violence.
People watching the video expressed shock, with one saying “wait what?!” before later adding “not this again”.
Opposition political parties have also come out to condemn the attack.