KNYSNA NEWS - "I congratulate you umhle umsebenzi wezandla zakho (the work of your hands is outstanding), our own child can't even recognise her own mother." This is what Zizipho Dasheka, a local woman who was recently assaulted, wrote on her Facebook wall. She alleged her former boyfriend was responsible.
After Dasheka was brutally attacked on Sunday 28 July, she conjured up the strength and opened a case at the Knysna police station.
According to local police spokesperson Sergeant Chris Spies, a man was arrested and appeared briefly in the Knysna Magistrate's Court on 31 July. He was released on R3 000 bail and his next appearance is on 11 September. Spies said the police is investigating a case of assault with the intent to commit grievous bodily harm following an incident at Khayalethu on 29 July, during a domestic-related incident.
Phumelela Ketelo, also a local and a friend of Dasheka, on Facebook pleaded with the community to not turn a blind eye. He called out the boyfriend whom he believes had attacked Dasheka.
Dasheka has confirmed the contents of Ketelo's Facebook post, according to which she went out with friends on the night of the incident. After her friends dropped her off, a man who had allegedly been hiding in the bushes near her home came out "punching, stabbing and strangling her "until she literally peed on herself".
According to Dasheka, when she told her former boyfriend's family about the alleged domestic abuse in the past, they asked her not to open a case, because it would jeapordise the bright future they believe awaits him. Dasheka also stated that her ex had stalked her, sending pictures taken in her house without her knowledge, with the message "I'm watching you", and that he sent her messages saying he would kill her or anyone she dates.
Because she now fears for her life, Dasheka has since left town. She wrote on Facebook, "I'm probably dreaming that I'm still alive, its only a matter of time before he shuts me off for good and then I become an addition to women-abuse statistics, then the murderer will walk freely and enjoy his life until he finds another victim to kill."
In the post, she expressed further her sadness and utter disappointment upon receiving threats and insults from women who are in favour of the man she calls her murderer.
In the meantime, #TheTotalShutDown movement against gender-based violence, is supporting Dasheka through this ordeal.
'We bring you the latest Knysna, Garden Route news'
