Renowned South African podcaster and media personality Penuel Mlotshwa, popularly known as The Black Pen, has sparked a vital conversation on the underreporting of domestic violence against men. In a candid and provocative social media post, Penuel detailed his personal history of physical and material abuse at the hands of former partners.
His revelation aims to highlight the gap between lived experiences and official statistics regarding male victims of abuse in South Africa.
Breaking the Silence: The Personal Cost
Taking to X (formerly Twitter) on January 16, 2026, Penuel provided a specific breakdown of the violence he has encountered but never legally reported.
“I’ve been slapped, punched and/or kicked by 5 women in my life. And had property destroyed by 2 women. I’ve never opened a case nor spoken about it publicly. Most other men don’t either,” he shared.
Key Points from Penuel’s Statement:
- Physical Violence: Assaulted by five different women across various relationships.
- Malicious Damage to Property: Significant property destruction caused by two partners.
- Non-Reporting: A conscious choice to remain silent, mirroring a trend he believes is common among South African men.
Challenging the Data: Why Men Don’t Speak Up
Penuel argues that the social stigma surrounding masculinity—and the fear of not being believed—creates an environment where men suffer in silence. This, he claims, leads to a “lopsided narrative” when looking at national crime statistics.
Barriers to Reporting identified by the public discourse:
- Stigma: Fear of being perceived as “weak” or “unmasculine.”
- Lack of Support: A perception that the justice system and society prioritize female victims.
- Data Distortion: Low reporting leads to a lack of resources and awareness programs for male victims.
“This is why data on women abusing men is so low & the narrative is lopsided,” Penuel concluded, urging a more nuanced look at the complexities of domestic violence.
A Growing National Dialogue
While Penuel’s comments have been met with mixed reactions, they have reignited a necessary debate on Gender-Based Violence (GBV) as a human issue rather than one solely defined by gender. His courage in sharing his story has encouraged other men to come forward with similar experiences, highlighting the need for more inclusive support structures.
