By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
African National Congress (ANC) Speaker at the Free State Legislature, Zanele Sifuba, has opened a criminal case against the individual who leaked a sex video of her on social media.
The video, which was widely circulated on social media and other platforms shows Sifuba pleasuring herself while on a video call with an unknown man.
The ANC parliamentary caucus in the Free State issued a statement, saying it had noted the issue of the video, received a briefing from Sifuba and discouraged the continued circulation of any material related to the issue.
Cde Sifuba has henceforth indicated to have opened a civil claim and as a result advises all to respect her decision in dealing with this matter. The ANC caucus wishes to state that it has full confidence in Cde Zanele and supports her in what seems to be an attack to her integrity. We wish Cde Zanele strength, wisdom and courage to carry out her responsibilities,” said ANC chief whip Thabo Meeko.
Experts say sharing the sexual video of Sifuba is criminal and abusive.
“It’s abuse because the key word here is consent. She did not consent to have these images circulated. When she made them, they were for herself and whoever she made them for, not for the world at large,” Gender expert Lisa Vetten said.
Vetten said it was concerning that the scores of social media users who shared the video online were oblivious to the abuse and legal implications of their actions.
Some were sympathetic to Sifuba, while others said the incident should teach other women not to put themselves in situations where others could access their sexual content to blackmail them.
Vetten said this was unfair and constituted policing of women’s bodies and sexual expression.
Social media expert Emma Sadleir said people who shared the video were as guilty of the crime as the source of the leak.
They can be charged and prosecuted under several laws, including the Cyber Crimes Act, through which they can be fined or sentenced to three years in prison.
Under the Films and Publications Amendment Act, distributors of private sexual images and videos could be fined R300 000 or sentenced to four years in prison, Sadleir said.
Free State legislature spokesperson, Life Mokone, said Sifuba had faced several demands for payment of R150 000 from the originator of the video.
The person later confessed, through phone calls made using different numbers, to receiving payments from politicians “around the speaker” to fabricate the video ahead of the provincial conference.
Mokone said Sifuba is also seeking legal action against those who shared the explicit video.
“The Speaker is seeking legal counsel to deal with those who participate in supplementary circulation of such content.”