Somizi has found himself in hot water recently for implying that women are responsible for the way men treat them.
In a short clip posted of an on-air Ask a Man segment conversation between radio personality Khutso Thaledi, DJ Naked and media personality, Somizi Mhlongo posted by the Khutso herself, the Idols SA judge alludes to how women are ultimately responsible for how they want to be treated, particularly in romantic relationships on Wednesday 12 July.
According to the South African, Somizi Mhlongo’s response comes after a Metro FM listener called in asking for some “interesting” relationship advice.
The caller dialled in telling the trio that he has fallen in love and impregnated another woman, outside of his marriage.
The trio then responded to the caller’s tricky relationship issue by urging him to be honest and transparent towards both his wife and his girlfriend.
In a deleted clip of the segment, Somizi implies that women are supposedly in control of how they want to be treated in relationships.
The media personality further states that, “We might not be able to change how men treat women but women have the control to change how they want to be treated.”
To add to the already alarming claim, he states that women should follow the “correct steps” in order to protect themselves in a relationship.
The clip made its way to Twitter, with many of platform’s users unsettled by Somizi’s views.
Former DA Member of Parliament, Phumzile Van Damme claimed that the personality’s take is extremely dangerous, especially in dynamics of abuse and GBV, as it reinforces the belief that women are to blame for their abuse.
4.2 million likely heard this reinforcing of this incredibly damaging belief that women are to blame for their own abuse. 5 listeners & a problem. 4.2m illustrates of the sheer enormity of the reach this has had in a country amongst the world’s highest dinner for GBV & femicide https://t.co/f4P3sb6uux
— Phumzile Van Damme (@zilevandamme) July 13, 2023
Other Twitter users have also stated that it absolves men from the problems they created and ultimately places the faults of men on the shoulders of women and girls.
So male behaviour has once again become a woman’s responsibility? ? https://t.co/LnHB2tjZ77 pic.twitter.com/8K3mEY00RY
— CarlynnLynelle (@CarlynnRensburg) July 13, 2023