Chris Brown FNB Stadium concert sparks South Africa debate about gender-based violence

The group has started a petition to stop the US artist from performing. It currently has over , external20,000 signatures. , external

“The petition was started to send a strong message that we will not tolerate the celebration of individuals with a history of violence against women,” said Ms Walter, especially in a country like South Africa.

South Africa has one of the highest rates of femicide and gender-based violence in the world.

A rape is reported in the country roughly every 12 minutes, external and it is assumed that many more go unrecorded.

“When someone like Chris Brown is given a platform in a country where GBV is at crisis levels, it sends a damaging message – that fame and power outweigh accountability,” said Ms Walters.

The most well-known instance in Chris Brown’s history of abuse is the domestic dispute with singer Rihanna in 2009.

Chris Brown, who was 19 at the time, pleaded guilty to assault and was sentenced to five years probation, community service and domestic violence counselling.

Although Rihanna forgave him and the pair briefly dated again after the incident, Chris Brown has also been accused of violence by other women – and men.

Women for Change says it wants to know how the Department of Home Affairs could grant “a convicted abuser” a visa.

For Ms Walter, the decision is “concerning and indicative of a systemic failure”.

According to South African law, having a previous conviction can result in a visa being denied. But there can be an exception for “good cause” and those are cleared by the Director General of the Department of Home Affairs.

Chris Brown has previously been banned from entering other countries, including the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, and New Zealand, although he has subsequently gone on to play in the UK and elsewhere in Europe.

But his South African fans are undeterred.