Nowhere To Run For Help

Abuse victim feels let down by the justice system after her boyfriend beat her up

- Bongeka Mdluli

A YOUNG mother and abuse victim from Bushbuckridge, Mpumalanga, feels she has nowhere to turn for help after she was allegedly assaulted by her boyfriend and the father of her four-year-old child. Kedibone Mkhabela (19) says she opened a case of assault against her boyfriend, but the justice system has failed to protect her.

HER CASE WAS WITHDRAWN 

Kedibone says the assault happened in April and she reported it at the nearby police station, where a case of assault with intent to do grievous bodily harm was opened. 

She and her family were later informed by the police that her 19-year-old boyfriend was arrested, but released on bail. 

“We then waited for a court date, but we were never informed of it. When my mother and I called the police station to check, we were told that the investigation was still ongoing,” says Kedibone.

She says she was shocked to be told that the case was withdrawn and that she and her ex-boyfriend had met with the prosecutor and told them that she no longer wanted to pursue the case.

“These lies really hurt me because I have never met the investigating officer, attended or called the court or met the prosecutor handling the case. I have not even spoken to the father of my child since the assault,” she explains.

PROVING HER INNOCENCE

Kedibone says the news that she had withdrawn the case almost caused a rift between her and her parents.