Netizens have sparked another debate about Chris Brown, this time, comparing the pop singer’s history of violence with the abuse allegations faced by local TV presenter and rapper, Jub Jub.
The Chris Brown concert issue is a polarising issue in South Africa, with those advocating for the “Say Goodbye” hitmaker to perform in Joburg in December pitted against those who are actively calling for his concert to be cancelled.
The latest debate was sparked by one X user @Tumi_Chikita, who said, “Y’all can forgive Jub Jub, but not Chris Brown? Please man” with a crying emoji.
This tweet ruffled a lot of feathers online, with opposing views being shared - some defending Chris Brown and others standing with Jub Jub, whose real name is Molemo Maarohanye.
Why are people comparing Jub Jub to Chris Brown?
In 2021, Jub Jub appeared as a guest on Podcast and Chill where he revealed intimate details about his relationship with ex-girlfriend, Amanda du-Pont.
The comments prompted Du-Pont to release a 17-minute video on social media alleging that Maarohanye raped her several times during their two-year relationship.
“I was raped and physically abused by Jub Jub. The only thing I did wrong was keep quiet,” she captioned the post.
In the same year, Jub Jub was accused of rape by Du-Pont, media personality Maschaba Khumalo, Bonoluhle Nkala, and Refilwe Khumalo. Du Pont aside, the three women did not open cases, while Jub Jub also denied the allegations and said they were false.
In July, the National Prosecuting Authority withdrew the charges against him in the Du Pont matter. The prosecution said there were no reasonable prospects of a successful prosecution and the sensible thing to do was to withdraw the charges against Maarohanye.
Chris Brown in contrast pleaded guilty to assaulting Rihanna, but escaped jail time, and the two were ordered to stay away from each other, in a deal that keeps the singer out of prison but required him to clean up graffiti or roadside trash.
In 2014, the musician pleaded guilty again after he punched a fan in Washington. He eventually spent time behind bars after he violated his parole conditions.
A doccie about Chris Brown's violent past is set to air on October 27 on local TV.
What is driving the GBV debate?
Chris Brown’s abuse allegations and his upcoming concert has caused a lot of controversy online as netizens weigh in on the matter, and even sign petitions to stop him from coming to South Africa.
The anti-gender-based-violence advocacy group, Women For Change, who are against the idea that Chris Brown should come to South Africa to perform, joined the Jub Jub chat and commented on Chikita’s post, saying: “Who does forgive Jub Jub”.
X user @TyrenndumisoB commented, “Where was his petition when Jub Jub was on tv screen and getting jobs? Your selective outrage bores us. Leave Chris Brown alone. Clout Chaser.”
Another X user @reyah_n commented, “The same people who forgave Jub Jub are probably the same people who forgave Chris Brown.”
X user @JohnWillias93763 commented, “I don’t think anyone forgave Jub Jub. It’s just that South Africans at large do not take GBV seriously. That’s why so many abusers continue to have thriving careers in this country. It’s why Chris Brown sold out FNB stadium in one day.”
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