| | Richard Bezuidenhout Supplied by M-Net |
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October 31, 2007
By Vivian Attwood and Rivonia Naidu
Television viewers, anti-abuse activists and lawyers have condemned the airing of an episode of Big Brother Africa on M-Net on Saturday which showed acts of drunken debauchery and alleged non-consensual sex.
In the wake of the flighting of the programme, South Africans are asking just how far television broadcasters are prepared to go to boost viewership.
Saturday's antics may have laid both M-Net and Tanzanian contestant Richard Bezuidenhout open to charges of sexual assault or, alternatively, rape.
After 12 weeks, three contestants Nigeria's Offuneka Malokwu, Angolan "Tatiana" and Bezuidenhout are entering the home run as they vie for the $100 000 (R654 000) prize
'It is not only demeaning to one woman, but to women in general' |
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While the programme is habitually controversial, Saturday's episode pushed the boundaries in a way many viewers found unacceptable on moral and ethical grounds.
Bezuidenhout, Malokwu, Tatiana and Ugandan Maureen Namatovu (who has since been voted off) were seen consuming copious amounts of alcohol.
Bezuidenhout then tried to strip one contestant before allegedly sexually assaulting Malokwu by inserting his fingers into her vagina. Malokwu appeared to be almost comatose during the alleged act.
While many viewers have voiced their disgust at what they witnessed, Bezuidenhout still seems to be the hot favourite to win the competition.
On the Big Brother Africa forum, a viewer's comment read: "I was quite disappointed that our beloved show was getting such bad publicity, even on the international scene, all because of this nuisance called Richard.
Well I don't blame him; I blame myself and people like me who have been voting to keep him in."
Viewers are also angry because their comments in the wake of Saturday's show were removed from the Big Brother Africa forum.
Asked why M-Net had edited its discussion forum to remove comments that accused Bezuidenhout of sexual assault, spokesman Joseph Hundah said: "This is a serious allegation and there is no proof of this (sic)."
Durban-based independent television producer Liza Aziz said Saturday's episode of Big Brother Africa exceeded the bounds of ethical broadcasting.
"The fact that the broadcaster provided the alcohol that initiated such behaviour is unacceptable, and the incident itself was immoral," she said.
"It is not only demeaning to one woman, but to women in general," said Aziz.
Debbie Harrison, director of KZN Rape Crisis, was aghast when she heard of the programme's content.
"If Bezuidenhout penetrated Malokwu with his fingers, as is alleged, then according to the new clauses contained in the Criminal Law Amendment Bill, it is an act of rape, rather than sexual assault.
The Bill says that if the woman is unable to consent to a sexual act, it constitutes rape," she said.
Prof Robin Palmer of the University of KwaZulu-Natal's law department said: "The Sexual Offences Act has widened the definition of non-consensual sex considerably.
If Malokwu was penetrated without her consent whether or not she was conscious at the time she can bring a charge of rape".
Palmer said that television footage could constitute evidence of the commission of the offence.
Palmer said that if the alleged incident was proved, M-Net could be charged as an accessory to rape.
There were legal precedents where those charged with the duty of protecting others, but failing to do so, had been found to have acted unlawfully, he said.
Vincent Moaga, spokesperson for the SA Human Rights Commission, said the commission condemned the incident.
"We have high levels of sexual violence and abuse against women and girl children in this country. It is unacceptable for a powerful medium such as television to be seen to be promoting this behaviour, and corrupting young minds," he said.
Responding to questions posed by the Daily News, Joseph Hundah M-Net's director of operations for Sub Saharan Africa, said: "The rule on Big Brother Africa is that housemates must be tolerant of each other's beliefs and that no violence will be tolerated."
Asked how far contestants are allowed to go before action is considered sexual assault, he replied: "If a non-consensual physical relationship begins then the producers of the show will intervene."
Hundah refuted viewers' allegations that Malokwu had appeared to be almost unconscious during the alleged sex act.
"When viewing the clips there is no indication that (she) was unconscious at the time," he said. He added that M-Net was "concerned about the level of alcohol use in the house and has taken steps to limit (its) availability".
According to the spokesperson, if it is proved that sexual assault/ rape has taken place, "the producers will act within the boundaries of the law and take the necessary steps".
  
 
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