South Africa's 'Big Brother' boots punching resident

[September 17, 2010]  JOHANNESBURG (AP) -- A South Africa-based satellite channel says it will immediately evict a participant from its "Big Brother" reality show after he hit a female housemate.

M-Net spokeswoman Lani Lombard says Hannington Kuteesa breached the show's rules by assaulting contestant Lerato Sengadi on Tuesday. Rights groups have called for his dismissal over the assault.

The show confines 14 people to a camera-rigged house in Johannesburg for 91 days. Viewers vote to evict contestants one by one.

British and U.S. versions of the reality show launched imitations worldwide, and some participants have become celebrities.

Lombard says Kuteesa will be offered support and treatment after he leaves. She says Sengadi will remain but she will be admonished for participating in the scuffle.

[Associated Press]

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