A senseless revenge attack left a young woman disabled, wheelchair-bound, with severe brain damage, yet, her assaulter was out on bail the next day. Action Society will now monitor the case of Sivenathi Toto, 23, from George, Western Cape.
Toto was assaulted in an alleged revenge attack in August 2022. The incident occurred in Lawaaikamp when a rival of her boyfriend, Shaun Madonono, broke into their home after losing a fight.
Madonono assaulted Sivenathi and then dragged her through the streets to his place, where he beat her until she was unconscious. He put her in a bakkie and dumped her body at the dumping site behind a petrol station. A petrol attendant discovered her there.
The severe injuries led to a stroke, loss of speech, brain damage and limited mobility.
Action Society has met with the family spokesperson Nosikhumbuzo Mhlaba who is angry by what had transpired. She said that the incident had harmed her cousin’s health. “Following the incident, Sive’s health deteriorated. She’s had multiple strokes causing her to be declared brain damaged. She can no longer speak and only makes two sounds; one when she is happy and the other when she disagrees. It is so sad,” she said.
Mhlaba said she could not understand why the suspect was granted bail a day after he was arrested. “He was arrested on 27 August and was granted bail on 28 August. How can they allow a man that did this to a young woman to be granted bail?”
The suspect appeared in the Thembalethu Magistrate’s Court on 10 May. The case was postponed to 30 May. Madonono was given until 12 June to find alternative accommodation outside Lawaaikamp.
He will appear in court again on 7 August, when the matter will be moved to the regional court in George.
Action Society’s Kaylynn Palm said what happened to Toto is extremely sad – and is joining organisations, the community and family in demanding justice.
“Sive was left for dead when she was dumped. Fortunately, she didn’t pass on, but she is disabled, wheelchair-bound and cannot speak. Action Society will continue its fight to ensure the attackers of women and children do not get bail and that the justice system starts acting swiftly and severely towards these criminals. We will continue to monitor the case,” she said.
To support Action Society’s Action Centre to continue helping victims of gender-based violence, follow this link.
