Sivenathi ‘Sive’ Toto was only 23-years-old when she was given a beating that forever changed her life in a supposed ‘revenge attack’ in August last year. The incident took place in Lawaaikamp, George and left Sive with permanent brain damage, unable to speak, walk or look after herself. Action Society is doing an oversight on the matter. The case appeared before the Thembalethu Magistrate’s Court in George in the Western Cape on Monday and was postponed to 21 May 2024 for trial.
“At Action Society we believe that we are called to give a voice to the voiceless, and in this case Sivenathi has quite literally been robbed of her ability to communicate,” said Action Society’s Kaylynn Palm. Our work in this case entails proper oversight to ensure that her story is heard in court and justice is served.”
Sivenathi was dragged through the streets of Lawaaikamp by her boyfriends’ friend, Shaun Madonono, following a fight between her boyfriend and Madonono. Madonono lost the fight and in an apparent act of revenge, broke into Sivenathi’s house. Madonono dragged her all the way to his house where he beat her until she lost consciousness. He then put her in his bakkie and dumped her at a dumping site behind a petrol station. The severity of the beating has left the 23-year-old with severe brain injuries. After the attack, she suffered a stroke, loss of speech and limited mobility which has restricted her to a wheelchair. According to family spokesperson Nosikhumbuzo Mhlaba, Sivenathi can only communicate using noises, one when she is happy and another when she disagrees with something.
Modonono was arrested but released on bail the next day. “He was arrested on 27 August and was granted bail on 28 August. How can they grant bail to a man that did this to a young woman?” said Mhlaba who is bitterly disappointed with how this case has been handled.
“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,” concluded Palm.
