Westridge mom Micha Renge (21) says she feared for her life after a five-hour attack that began late on Sunday, December 21 and ended the following morning near the Mnandi Beach canal.
Her former boyfriend has been arrested and faces attempted murder charges.
Ms Renge told the Plainsman she and her ex-partner were at a friend’s house in Rocklands before she asked to leave after seeing him use drugs.
He began striking her at a bus stop, dragged her away and put a belt around her neck, saying, ‘You’re going nowhere.’ She said the pair moved through darkness until they reached the canal.
She described being choked, dragged and left with the belt tight around her neck and said she blacked out during the assault. ‘I thought I would die,’ she said. She documented her injuries and reported the incident to police on December 22.
Provincial police spokesperson Constable Ndakhe Gwala confirmed a 20-year-old man was arrested and that. ‘The matter is now before the court,’ he said.
Studies find that women may endure years of violence and make multiple attempts before successfully exiting an abusive relationship (MDPI). Safe shelter, economic support and turning points such as escalating violence or danger to their children are often pivotal in the decision to leave.
Ms Renge said she told her story to encourage other women to seek support. ‘Enough is enough. I want to survive, not just for me but for my daughter,’ she said.
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