Rape is not about sex, rape is an expression of power opines Eusebius

25 February 2019 10:47 AM

The African National Congress (ANC) confirmed at a press briefing that it has received a letter accusing its acting national spokesperson and the party's head of Presidency Zizi Kodwa of rape. Show host Eusebius McKaiser shares his thoughts.

I want to respond to some really silly comments that are being made in the public space by some people as well as the familiar South African rape myths that often emerge when a story of this kind surfaces.
— Eusebius McKaiser, presenter

He adds that there is a great deal in the story from a factual point of view that is mirky and, therefore, he doesn't have a definitive view on the matter.

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But when I look at Twitter, when I look at Facebook and my own WhatsApp group there are things that are emerging around the story that I think is important to nip in the bud as quickly as possible.
— Eusebius McKaiser, presenter

Some people are saying if this happened a couple of months ago allegedly, why didn't she go to the police then? There is no timeline for when it is acceptable to go to the police if you are a rape victim or a rape survivor.
— Eusebius McKaiser, presenter

Eusebius says the criminal justice system is staffed by people 'that are anti-women and are sloppy in how they deal with sexual violence in general'.

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When you live in a society in which you will be re-traumatised when you go to the police station, when you are going to be re-traumatised once you are in the witness box - if your case even gets that far.
— Eusebius McKaiser, presenter

There is an obvious incentive to go first to a public hospital, to go to a doctor, to get the necessary examination and to go to the police station and to hope that the person that you say - who is a powerful person - gets arrested and that the case will eventually make it to the courts. But the odds are stacked against you.
— Eusebius McKaiser, presenter

Which is why it is rational in fact to a girl, a woman or anyone who is a victim of rape or sexual assault including men to not go to the police immediately. So can we please bust this myth that says the longer you take to go and report the case, the less believable you are. That is absolute BS.
— Eusebius McKaiser, presenter

He says the second rape myth that needs to be dealt with is that it is damaging to survivors.

It is this idea that someone could have possibly been raped if they are not a virtuous person.
— Eusebius McKaiser, presenter

A person can enjoy their sexuality, have multiple sexual partners and still be raped.

The idea that you can only be raped if you are a virgin or if you are in a monogamous relationship with one partner is absolute nonsense.
— Eusebius McKaiser, presenter

Eusebius says he also thinks rumours about Kodwa's sexual orientation should be quashed.

Firstly he never told you that he is gay, as far as I know, he has never come out to say that he is a gay man.
— Eusebius McKaiser, presenter

But there is an important point to be made here, rape is not about sexual orientation. Rape is not about sex, rape is an expression of power.
— Eusebius McKaiser, presenter

Watch below as Eusebius share these views:

Listen below McKaiser share his views on what he thinks about the rape allegations:

Written by: Matshepo Sehloho