Today marks one year and six months since Sivenathi ‘Sive’ Toto was beaten within an inch of her life by Shaun Madonono in Lawaaikamp in George in August 2022. The 23-year-old is wheelchair bound and unable to take care of herself. She has been robbed of her ability to talk and her hunched over figure in the wheelchair barely resembles the young vibrant woman she used to be, and her family is still waiting for justice.
The beating was labelled a ‘revenge attack’ triggered by Madonono reportedly losing a fight to Sive’s boyfriend at the time. Sive was dragged through the streets of Lawaaikamp from her home by Madonono. He took her to his house where he beat her until she lost consciousness. He then put her in the back of his bakkie and dumped her at a nearby dumping site behind a petrol station to die. To add insult to injury, Sive’s attacker is out on bail and still roaming the streets. Her case is one of the many examples of violent parolees let loose to victimise more vulnerable victims.
“Sive’s story is a stark reminder of how broken our justice system really is. Her story might have been forgotten by the newspapers, but we will continue to fight for her and say her name. It is insulting that this woman’s life has been ruined and the man who attacked her is free to do it to someone else. Action Society will continue to oversee the case as it goes to trial on 21 May 2024,” said Action Society’s Kaylynn Palm.
