Sabrina Walter defends Women For Change as questions surface regarding support given to victims

Sabrina Walter, the founder of the non-profit organisation Women For Change (WFC), has announced her intention to take legal action against those spreading allegations of fraud regarding her and the organisation's financial dealings.

In a strongly worded statement released on Wednesday, Walter categorically rejected claims that WFC is “not registered,” that it profits financially, or that it uses donations for personal gain, labelling such accusations as “completely false.”

The allegations have resurged just days after Women For Change successfully spearheaded a nationwide campaign aimed at addressing gender-based violence and femicide, a critical issue that has captured national attention in South Africa.

Walter expressed her disappointment at the timing, stating that it is “deeply disappointing to see false and defamatory allegations being spread” following their significant activism.

“After successfully leading the nationwide G20 women’s shutdown and the global campaign for GBVF to be declared a national disaster, it is deeply disappointing to see false and defamatory allegations being spread about Women For Change and me as the founder."

A prominent figure in the criticism of WFC is a TikTok user who goes by the name Tattooed Papi. He claims to have faced harassment and legal intimidation after questioning how WFC has utilised funds to help victims of gender-based violence.

"These people have taken it upon themselves to make three different cases against me— a civil case, a harassment case, and a criminal case. They are abusing the legal process in order to silence a TikToker,” he said.

According to Tattooed Papi, Walter and WFC are suing him for R1.2 million, which he described as a misuse of donation funds, particularly pointing out that Walter's legal battles are costing “your donation money.”

"The first harassment case was dismissed with costs, meaning Sabrina Walter has to pay my lawyers for that harassment case. That's your donation money, that's how Sabrina Walter chooses to spend all the hard-earned donation money that you give to that organisation," he said.

Walter, however, defended her actions, noting that she has been subjected to hate speech, xenophobia, and coordinated attempts to undermine her credibility. She explained that she had already filed a criminal case and is securing a protection order. 

Her activism took a notable turn last year when WFC submitted a petition to South African authorities to prevent American singer Chris Brown from performing in the country due to his controversial past. Although the petition was ultimately unsuccessful, it marked a pivotal moment for the organisation, drawing both support and criticism.

In another video, Tattooed Papi replied to Walter's statement and asked which survivors has WFC assisted.

"Since I was cancelled last year for the Chris Brown campaign, there has been no woman that has come into my comments section or my DMs or on their personal social media and said this is how Women For Change have helped me. There is no proof of work the organisation is doing for women...Where is the proof of your work, where is proof of what that donation money does" asked Tattooed Papi.

Tattooed Papi also claimed that his DM was flooded by victims who reached out to WFC and were not assisted.

In response to Tattooed Papi’s assertions regarding the lack of visible support for survivors from WFC, Walter insisted, “Our impact is immense, public, and verifiable: national campaigns, survivor support, the country’s largest GBVF petition, and a key role in the National Disaster declaration.”

She emphasised that spreading misinformation not only harms the reputation of women’s advocacy groups but ultimately affects the very survivors they aim to assist.

“I will continue taking legal action where necessary. I will not allow hate or intimidation to silence Women For Change,” she said.

sinenhlanhla.masilela@iol.co.za

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