‘My brother wanted to stab me with a kitchen knife’

SLEEPING with one eye open has become the norm for Lulama* (46) whose brother attempted to stab her last week.

The eChibini woman lives in fear that he will come back to finish what he started.

Lulama told the ZO that the 'bad blood' between her and her brother began when he took her car without permission, and brought it back damaged.

“I was away from home for a few days, and when I came back, I realised my car wasn’t parked where I had left it. I knew he had taken it but didn’t say anything on the day.

“The following day I asked him what happened and told him about the dents on the car. Instead of explaining what had happened, he simply turned into something else and started swearing at me.

“Within seconds, he was charging at me with a kitchen knife. I was lucky family members were there to help me,” explained Lulama.

After she escaped with the help of her mother and other relatives, she went to stay at another family member's house, but her brother followed her.

“He kicked the door until he managed to get in, and started attacking me again.

“I thought I was going to die but I managed to fight him off and ran away from him for the second time. I have never been so scared in my life,” she said. Since the incident, Lulama says she hasn’t been sleeping as she fears for her life.

“I’m afraid he might come to finish me off. I don't want to live in fear, and pray for justice.

“As women, we are dying and abused by those closest to us and most of our families don’t do anything about it. “I’m telling my story to break the silence. As women, we must come together and fight these animals. “Gender-based violence is a syndrome that needs very special attention. The cure lies with us,” concluded Lulama, who has found the courage to open a case against her brother.