Babes Wodumo a no-show at press briefing, as family express gratitude to SA for support

PRESS BRIEFING SUMMARY: 11:15

Cape Town - Babes' Wodumo's family have expressed their gratitude to the South African people, law enforcement and medical staff for their support on Tuesday. 

Expected to start at 10:00, Babes' family only arrived at 11:00 and the briefing started shortly thereafter.

Babes was not present at the press briefing, instead her mother and father addressed the public. 

According to her father, Reverend Welcome Simelane, the matter has been formally reported at the Westville police department. 

He also added that Babes will continue working in the entertainment industry, and urged South Africans to support victims of domestic abuse and to not pass judgement. 

The family would not take any questions from the media. 

Cape Town - Gqom musician Bongekile Simelane, popularly known as Babes Wodumo, was expected to brief the media on Tuesday after allegedly being assaulted by her long-term boyfriend, Mandla Maphumulo (Mampintsha).

This comes after video footage of a man, who appears to be musician Mampintsha, assaulting a woman, who appears to be Babes Wodumo, surfaced on social media on Monday. 

Speaking to The Juice following the release of viral video, Babes Wodumo's sister Nonduh Simelane confirmed the authenticity of the viral video, saying: "It is very, very real."

ALSO READ: Official statement released via Babes Wodumo's Twitter account: 'She is still emotional about the situation'

When asked about Babes' well-being, she said: "She is doing okay, she is resting and she is safe."

According to Nonduh, Mampintsha has disappeared and his current whereabouts are still unknown.

Babes will break her silence and address the public at the media briefing. 

ALSO READ: The latest on Babes Wodumo and Mampintsha's alleged viral abuse video

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