A popular Ivorian television presenter, Yves de Mbella has been suspended after he invited a convicted rapist onto his prime-time show and asked him to simulate rape using a mannequin.
Mbella was suspended Tuesday, August 31, for 30 days, following public outcry over his televised rape demonstration in Ivory Coast.
During the segment which aired on Monday, August 30, Mbella asked his guest, a rapist, to show how he raped women.
At one point, de Mbella helped the guest adjust the mannequin and asked him how he chose his victims, whether he preferred them “slim or fat” and whether the victims “enjoyed it”.
Ivory Coast’s independent communications council announced the 30-day suspension, saying in a statement that the segment used obscene language, condoned rape, and attacked the dignity of women.
The Nouvelle Chaine Ivoirienne private television station apologised for airing the segment and cancelled the final episode of this particular show which had been scheduled for Friday.
Following his suspension, Yves de Mbella took to Facebook to apologise, writing: “I’m sincerely sorry to have shocked everyone while trying to raise awareness. I made an error.
“I’m also sorry for everything that was said or done during that sequence of the programme yesterday that hurt.
“I beg for forgiveness from all victims of rape.”
