Buziwe Nocuze
A man who allegedly beat up his girlfriend and kept her prisoner for coming home “late”, before reporting her missing has been arrested.
26-year-old Yamkela Sikhafungana’s boyfriend was arrested on Saturday in Khayelitsha, Cape Town.
After coming home “late” earlier this month, Yamkela was so badly assaulted by the suspect that she has spent more than a week in hospital.
Her sister Yonela later received a call from the boyfriend, who claimed that she had gone missing and asked if she had seen her.
Yonela says that Yamkela will undergo an eye operation because her blood vessels have been damaged and her nose is broken.
Speaking to Scrolla.Africa, Yonela said the suspect had destroyed her sister’s life.
“It will take time for her to heal,” she said.
According to Yonela, her sister doesn’t know what weapon the suspect used to attack her but suspected that he used a sharp object as she has a gash on her head.
The family says they didn’t know Yamkela was in an abusive relationship.
“We pray for our sister to heal and that the suspect doesn’t get bail because we all know what will happen if he does. He will look for my sister and continue with what he started,” said Yonela.
The victim’s neighbour said they didn’t hear anything.
“There is a lot of noise in an informal settlement, and it is difficult to hear when someone is attacked,” said the resident. He said people play loud music and hearing someone’s calls for help is difficult.
Captain Siyabulela Vukubi, a Harare SAPS spokesperson, confirmed the suspect’s arrest, adding that he will make a court appearance in the Khayelitsha Magistrate’s Court soon.
