Mihlali Ndamase, a prominent South African influencer and YouTuber, recently became the centre of a heated social media storm after briefly posting and then deleting an Instagram story that appeared to show scars from physical abuse.
The post fuelled widespread speculation that she had been assaulted by her boyfriend, Leeroy Sidambe, who had previously been accused of abusive behaviour toward his ex-wife, Mary-Jane Sidambe.
Leeroy has bleksemed Mihlali 😭😭 pic.twitter.com/aFxQ2mwu4C
— ChrisExcel (@ChrisExcel102) August 4, 2024
Despite the swift deletion of the post, the image circulated widely on social media, sparking intense debate.
Leeroy Sidambe responded to the allegations on the gossip platform “Maphephandaba”, firmly denying any wrongdoing.
He stated: "Rule number 1 never hit a woman. Do you honestly believe and think I hit Mihlali? Just zoom in and check if hitting someone gets hurt like that."
His denial, however, did little to quell the controversy.
The response on platforms like Twitter was mixed. Some users criticised Ndamase, accusing her of facing "karma" for allegedly playing a role in the breakdown of Sidambe's previous marriage.
Others expressed concern over the apparent normalisation of gender-based violence and the celebration of such incidents by certain individuals online.
Mihlali Ndamase is a victim of GBV whether you like her or not.
— Sye Mdluli (@Sye_Mdluli) August 4, 2024
You can't be selective in your fight against abuse just because you don't like her! pic.twitter.com/tpHgMpigto
Adding to the complexity of the situation, is the role of controversial blogger Musa Khawula, who has been a vocal critic of Ndamase and Sidambe's relationship.
Khawula has used his platform to push a narrative that paints Ndamase in a negative light, further fuelling cancel culture around her.
He even started a petition to encourage brands to cut ties with her, branding her as a home-wrecker who had caused public humiliation to Mary-Jane Sidambe.
The situation involving Mihlali Ndamase and Leeroy Sidambe underscores the volatile nature of public relationships in the social media age, where personal issues are often aired out and judged by the masses.
It also raises important questions about the impact of public scrutiny on personal lives, the ethics of cancel culture, and the ways in which gender-based violence is discussed and perceived online.
As their story continues to unfold, it will undoubtedly remain a topic of significant interest and debate.
IOL