Popular reality wedding show Our Perfect Wedding (OPW) has come under harsh criticism for airing an episode that shows a confessed statutory rapist.
The show, which aired on DSTV channel Mzansi magic showed the wedding of Fanie and Bavelile Mkwhanazi.
In the interview section of the show Fanie, a pastor, said he met Bavelile when she was 14 years old, and he was a 28-year old taxi driver.
He admits that he preferred to transport young schoolgirls and said he'd have sex with three or four in a day.
This created an uproar on social media, especially on Twitter, and led to multiple complaints being filed to the Broadcasting Complaints Commission of South Africa (BCCSA).
On her blog, drtlaleng.wordpress.com, Dr Tlaleng Mofokeng wrote an open letter to BCCSA and registered a complaint saying: “Rape culture is so normalised, and in a country like ours with the type of statistics around rape and gender based violence, it is highly disturbing what we were shown on Mzansi Magic last night. Perverts and self confessed paedophiles get rewarded with a tv show on the channel and nobody in the production saw nothing wrong with the narrative.”
She added: “I'm absolutely floored and horrified that nobody in the production of this episode saw anything wrong.”
Another complaint was laid by the Change Drivers' Network and the Sexual Reproductive Justice Coalition of South Africa which issued a statement which said: “Considering the rate of sexual abuse in South Africa (reported and non-reported cases such as this one), It is disturbing to note how OPW, airing on Channel 161 normalised this behaviour and turned it into a love story. It is unacceptable and as young leaders who deal with such issues every day, the ACTIVATE! Network demands that action be taken in this regard.”
Our next couple on #OurPerfectWedding is Bavelile & Fanie. Tune in at 19:00 to witness love https://t.co/g8P5jdUouw pic.twitter.com/0IsSaXvrOK
— Mzansi Magic (@Mzansimagic) November 29, 2015
The channel tweeted a short statement which many felt was devoid of an apology or any remorse.
They said: “The premise of the show is to celebrate the love and the journey that the couples take leading up to their wedding day.
Our reality shows reflect our society as it is. In the case of this episode, the couple's past brought up uncomfortable social issues which the family and community, who were initially against the relationship, found a way to resolve.”
Singer Simphiwe Dana tweeted in response: “@DStvCare you note concerns, you don't apologize, and you see paedophilia as an “uncomfortable social issue”. Got it.”
Another user, @pixiestateomind said: “This response is beyond ridiculous. Respect us @DStvCare.”
Later yesterday, the show’s main sponsor Absa pulled out saying: “Absa confirms that it informed Mzansi Magic this morning that we have withdrawn our sponsorship of Our Perfect Wedding with immediate effect.”
The channel added on Twitter:
PRESS STATEMENT: Mzansi Magic would like to apologise for airing the segment that has upset our viewers. https://t.co/rzGuZ0OFWD
— Mzansi Magic (@Mzansimagic) November 30, 2015
PRESS STATEMENT: We take the concerns of our viewers seriously; we have taken the decision not to broadcast the episode again.
— Mzansi Magic (@Mzansimagic) November 30, 2015