Bizarre fetish leaks stun Malawi

A wave of leaked explicit videos exposing bizarre sexual fetishes has rocked Malawi. The clips are spreading rapidly across social media platforms. The shocking videos have sparked outrage and renewed concerns over revenge porn, online privacy and the non-consensual sharing of intimate material.

The leaks our reporter has seen depicts a range of disturbing sexual acts and fetishes. Some involve the use of a firearm during sexual activity. Others involve acts centred on a man’s foot. Older videos, including one involving a knife, have also resurfaced. Another widely shared clip, linked to Dubai, appears to show a young Malawian woman playing and consuming human faeces, and her own fecal wastes.

The clips have circulated widely on WhatsApp, Facebook, Telegram, X (formerly Twitter) direct messages (DMs) and other social media platforms. Many users have expressed shock at the nature of the videos. Malawi24 has chosen not to publish or describe the most graphic scenes because of their disturbing content.

Others have condemned those continuing to share the footage amid concerns it may have been distributed without the consent of those involved.

It is not known how the videos were leaked, who first distributed them or whether all of the recordings were shared without the consent of the individuals featured. Social media users have speculated about the source of the leaks, with unverified claims linking them to three influencers from Malawi and Zambia and alleging the material emerged following a personal dispute involving a man. Malawi24 has not independently verified those claims. Some of the influencers reportedly caught up in the current dispute have previously been linked publicly to other prominent figures, including politicians, business tycoons and religious leaders like prophets.

Malawi24 is withholding the identities of the people featured in the videos for legal and ethical reasons as we believe that publishing information that could identify potential victims of revenge porn or other sexual offences would be irresponsible journalism.

The circulation of intimate images or videos without consent is widely recognised as a form of image-based sexual abuse, commonly referred to as revenge porn. Victims often suffer lasting psychological, social and reputational harm long after the material is first shared.

The Malawi Police Service had not commented by the time of publication on whether it would investigate the matter. Malawi24 has contacted the police for comment.

Malawi’s laws contain offences relating to the production, possession and distribution of obscene material, which often result in female victims being arrested. Other criminal offences may also apply depending on how intimate content is obtained and shared. Legal experts say people who forward or republish explicit material without consent could expose themselves to legal consequences, depending on the circumstances.

Meanwhile, Riana Brown Bagus has issued an apology over leaked video. It remains unclear which video she is apologising for. Here is her full apology:

“To my customers, family, friends, supporters, and everyone who has stood by me, l want to sincerely address the video currently circulating online and offer my heartfelt apology to everyone who has been affected by its release.

“The video was recorded by someone I was in a relationship with without my knowledge or informed consent. It was kept for years and used as a tool to manipulate and blackmail me. After seeing me rebuild my life, grow personally, and move forward, that individual chose to release it publicly two years later.

“This has been an incredibly painful and deeply violating experience. The creation, possession, and distribution of that video were never my choice, and I never consented to it being shared.

“I kindly ask that, as people discuss this situation, they remember that no one deserves to have their privacy violated or intimate moments shared without consent. I hope we can respond with compassion rather than judgment and avoid directing blame toward the wrong person.

“To everyone who has reached out with kindness, encouragement, and support, thank you. Your messages, prayers, and understanding have meant more to me than words can express during this difficult time” she posted on her Instagram account.