Locked In With My Abuser
Drum English|28 May 2020
Domestic abuse has spiked during lockdown. We speak to two women afraid of living with their partners
Duenna Mambana
Locked In With My Abuser

The hairs on the back of Duduzile Baloyi’s* neck stood up when the start of the national lockdown was announced. She knew she would be trapped at home with her husband – her abuser – for at least three weeks, unable to leave.

Then those three weeks stretched out into one month, then two. It became a nightmare for Duduzile and others like her.

Since the lockdown began on 27 March, the government’s Gender-Based Violence Command Centre (GBVCC) received more than 120 000 calls to its national helpline – double the usual volume.

Duduzile (35), who has two children, started thinking of divorcing her husband of 15 years in the weeks before the lockdown.

Now she fears for her life. They tried therapy and were separated for several months. He moved back into their house in March this year so they could give their marriage another go.

“We used to be happy, in our dating years and even in our marriage. We were crazy about each other. We used to be the couple who were asked to give speeches at weddings, and at church, people looked up to us – I believe some still do. But things changed at the beginning of last year,” Duduzile recalls.

Her husband became cruel towards her but she would often dismiss his comments, telling her self he was just going through a hard time at work.

“I thought it was nothing. Until one day when he pushed me, and I hit my head against the coffee table.”

They were both shocked, and he apologized. “I believed him and did nothing about it. To me, it was not abused. I really thought I’d caught him at a bad time. Do you see a pattern there?

Denne historien er fra 28 May 2020-utgaven av Drum English.

Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.

Denne historien er fra 28 May 2020-utgaven av Drum English.

Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.

FLERE HISTORIER FRA DRUM ENGLISHSe alt
Homegrown Heroes
Drum English

Homegrown Heroes

Drum speaks to two volunteers in the Covid-19 vaccine trial and the professor heading the team in Africa

time-read
5 mins  |
9 July 2020
The Big Clean Up
Drum English

The Big Clean Up

Whenever a Covid-19 case is confirmed at a shop, they call in the deep-cleaners. We find out exactly how they disinfect stores and supermarkets

time-read
5 mins  |
9 July 2020
I'm Back & Better!
Drum English

I'm Back & Better!

Babes Wodumo shares what she’s been up to in lockdown – and there’s some new music on the horizon

time-read
5 mins  |
9 July 2020
Not An Easy Ride
Drum English

Not An Easy Ride

Taxi commuters and industry players tell DRUM what’s driving them to defy lockdown rules

time-read
5 mins  |
16 July 2020
Mam' Mary Bows Out
Drum English

Mam' Mary Bows Out

Iconic actress Mary Twala is fondly remembered by friends and family for her humour and talent

time-read
6 mins  |
16 July 2020
‘They Lived For Each Other'
Drum English

‘They Lived For Each Other'

This Cape Town teen’s parents died from Covid-19 on the same day. Now she’s alone and battling the virus too

time-read
6 mins  |
9 July 2020
Stranger Than Fiction
Drum English

Stranger Than Fiction

For actor Mangaliso Ngema and his daughter Khosi Ngema, her role in Blood & Water was like watching their family’s real-life story unfold

time-read
5 mins  |
9 July 2020
I Was Raped By A Pastor
Drum English

I Was Raped By A Pastor

His accusations against a well-known man of the cloth turned an Eastern Cape man’s life into turmoil but now more victims have spoken out

time-read
5 mins  |
16 July 2020
My Fight With Life And Death
Drum English

My Fight With Life And Death

More Covid-19 patients, too few beds and staff, constant sanitising and personal fears – a Western Cape doctor shares her experience

time-read
6 mins  |
16 July 2020
I AM ENOUGH
Drum English

I AM ENOUGH

Ten years after being set alight, Thembi Maphanga is living life to the fullest

time-read
5 mins  |
9 July 2020