ANCWL, EFF defend Malaika: The ANCWL has come out to defend fellow woman Makaila wa Azania Mahlatsi after she was suspended from her job following the audio that was leaked by ex boyfriend Mamabolo. The EFF has also defended the writer and called on Masina to investigate the issue and reinstate Malaika.
ANCWL STATEMENT ON SUSPENSION OF MALAIKA MANLATSI AND ONLINE ABUSE SHE HAS SUFFERED
The ANC Women’s League has noted the suspension of young social activist and bestselling author, Malaika Mahlatsi, by the City of Ekurhuleni over allegations of contravention the Municipal Systems Act (MSA), Code of Conduct for Municipal Staff Members and the City of Ekurhuleni (CoE) Social Media Policy, following circulation of an alleged audio recording of Mahlatsi in which she speaks to her Men intimate partner about matters pertaining to the office. The audio was leaked by the man, Katlego amabolo, on his social media and subsequently went viral. Over the last few days, Mahlatsi has been a subject of a vicious online attack by Mamabolo, an ex partner who, when their romantic relationship soured, opted to publicly humiliate and cast aspersions on the character of a young woman whose only crime was to demand an end to their relationship. In screenshots that have been widely circulated, Mamabolo attacks the person of Mahlatsi using intimate details that he was entrusted with, including but not limited to salacious text messages and photos that were taken in the context of a consensual and mutual relationship between two adults. This grow violation of trust and disregard for privacy, punctuated by his recording of their private were is reflective of the fact that his intentions from the beginning were never sincere. He deliberately and maliciously targeted a young and Wrong woman with the sole purpose of breaking her.
This is conduct that is very common with abusers. They use the vulnerabilities of women to weaken them, a. then cast aspersions on their characters in order to normalise and justify their abusive behaviour. In portraying Mahlatsi as an immoral woman, Mamabolo sought to legitimise his vicious assault on her .rson. In revealing intimate details about her mental health challenges and making a mockery of her battle with clinical depression, he spat on the efforts of the work that activists have been engaged in to de-stigmatise mental health issues and provide safe space for those battling them. There is no circumstance under which it can ever be correct to mock a person for a condition they have no control over. It is cruel beyond measure. The reality of the situation is that Malaika is not alone. She symbolises main women in our society who have been harassed, victimised and blackmailed by men who refuse to accept “Noll for an answer. Our patriarchal society makes men believe that women are their personal property, and so when women .ercise their agency and demand their own autonomy, they are put in their place through humiliating a. abusive tactics Identical to what Mamabolo did. When woman dare to rise, and are as bold and uncompromising as Malaika, those who thrive on the subjugation of women take this as an affront on their fragile masculinity and resort to unspeakable acts of violence and cruelty.
Malaika has opened a case of crimen injuria against Mamabolo and the ANCWL will stantl with her in this battle that is not only about her life, but about the lives of many who have been silenced by fear of retribution from their abusers.. hope that the City of Ekurhuleni will recognise that Malaita is Me victim of a well-orchestrated attack, and not someone who maliciously and intentionally went out of her way to bring the institution into disrepute. She did what many people do – shared her frustrations with an intimate partner. That he was recording her with the intention of later blackmailing and publicly humiliating her is a reflection on his own immaturity and lack of integrity, not on hers. She is a hardworking, committed and brilliant young woman who should never be thrown to the wolves. There are many Katlego Mamaboloa out Mere and is time to take them head-on. The ANCWL calls all women to stand up against such people. We also challenge all progressive men to stand up against those Katlego’s openly condemn and distance yourself from such fellows must not remain silent when stupidity, tormenting a. bullying is done in your nme. It is our sincere hope that this unfortunate incident will compel women to speak out against their abusers. Our strength lies in our numbers, and the more women confront their tormentors, the harder it becomes for the bull. to continue to torment. It is only when we dare to speak out even as our voices may shake, that we can defeat the culture of abuse that thrives on silence and desensitisation.
Malaika is us, and we are Malaika. We unashamedly stand with her in this battle.”
The EFF’s Ekurhuleni regional chairperson Nkululeko Dunga defended Malaika and feels the charges did not warant a suspension. Dunga has called for the investigation into the matter.
“Black women should never be sacrificial lambs for populist politicians. This reverses the little gains on women empowerment that have been able to achieve. As vanguards of marginalised members of the society, we cannot be spectators when an injustice is done towards a black girl child at the expense of redeeming lost credibility by those who hold high political offices,” Dunga added.
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