A Survivor’s Story of Violence and Waiting

Platinum Weekly newspaper | Rustenburg – Platinum Weekly recently interviewed a survivor of a near-fatal domestic violence attack – an interview that sheds light not only on the brutality she endured, but also on the long and painful road to justice that still lies ahead.

At the request of the victim, Platinum Weekly is withholding the names of both the victim and the accused, as the matter concerns her personal safety and wellbeing.

A RELATIONSHIP THAT FELT SAFE… UNTIL IT WASN’T
The incident took place in September 2024, after the couple had been dating for seven months. The victim explained that the relationship had been loving and close. They were best friends, shared everything, and there had never been any physical violence before that night.

Because she often knocked off work at around 22:00, she decided to temporarily move in with her boyfriend, who lived closer to her workplace. What seemed like a practical decision would later turn into a life-threatening ordeal.

On the night of the attack, her boyfriend returned from visiting friends and found her asleep. An argument broke out after she confronted him about a cellphone he had allegedly stolen, making it clear that she wanted no part in criminal activity. She says he became enraged.

According to the survivor, the assault escalated rapidly. As she prepared to take a bath and leave, the accused allegedly used a laptop cable to strangle her, dragging her from the bathroom into the living area. He then continued choking her with his hands.

The violence continued into the kitchen, where he allegedly stabbed her multiple times – first in her thighs and then in her back, shoulders, and hands as she tried to shield her face. She recalls him telling her that she would not be leaving him and that she was going to die that night.

She further alleges that he prepared a bag intended to dispose of her body, placing weapons inside it. Weak, bleeding heavily, and fearing death, she says she could smell blood on herself and believed she was moments away from dying.

When a friend of the accused knocked on the door, the accused allegedly threatened to kill her if anyone entered. The friend contacted the accused’s mother, who advised him to call the police. Instead, the accused reportedly returned to the bathroom, where the survivor says she saw additional weapons. She attempted to escape but was pulled back and pinned down before being struck on the head with a brick. She believes this is when she lost consciousness.

SURVIVAL THROUGH STRATEGY
After regaining consciousness, the survivor says she realised her only chance of survival was to soothe her attacker. She pretended to comply, reassuring him that she would not leave and promising not to open a case if he let her go.

Later, when he fell asleep, she seized the moment. She took his phone and contacted the same friend who had come earlier. He instructed her to run to his house nearby and then assisted her in going to the police.

The accused was arrested the very next day on charges of attempted murder. The survivor later discovered that he had previously been charged with the murder of his father and was out on bail at the time their relationship began.

She says that since his arrest, the accused has repeatedly contacted her from custody, begging her to drop the charges. Members of his family have also allegedly approached her, referring to the attack as a “lovers’ quarrel.”

LIFE AFTER THE ATTACK
The survivor told Platinum Weekly that her life has changed drastically. She has since left her job, saying she could no longer meet expectations while coping with trauma. She admits that she has started drinking more since the incident and struggles to trust anyone enough to enter a new relationship, fearing a repeat of the violence.

The attempted murder case has been postponed to 3 February 2026.

According to the survivor, the magistrate ruled that while the defence appeared to plead guilty, the accused’s statement did not clearly amount to a full admission of guilt, as he only acknowledged the stabbing and not the strangulation.

This postponement has been confirmed by the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA). The last court appearance took place on 26 November 2025 at Regional Court 2, Rustenburg Magistrate’s Court.

As the survivor waits nearly two years for her case to continue, her story highlights the devastating impact of gender-based violence — and the emotional toll of slow justice.

If you or someone you know is experiencing abuse, contact the Gender-Based Violence Command Centre toll-free at 0800 428 428.