Man fined for assaulting girlfriend
The man who was charged with assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm after brutally assaulting his girlfriend and mother of his daughter, pleaded guilty in the Knysna Magistrate's Court on 13 November.
Zizipho Dasheka was viciously attacked on 28 July to such an extent that her daughter could not recognise her, she said. She conjured up the strength and opened a case at the
Knysna police station, but nevertheless fled town because she feared for her life.
After the attack, Dasheka shared on Facebook: "I'm probably dreaming that I'm still alive, it’s only a matter of time before he shuts me off for good and then I become an addition to women-abuse statistics, then the murderer will walk freely and enjoy his life until he finds another victim to kill."
The perpetrator, Athi Magadla, appeared before magistrate Zukiswa Hans during his bail application and was released on R3 000 bail on 31 July.
Last week, Magadla entered into a plea of guilt before Hans and was fined R5 000 or five months in custody.
#TheTotalShutDown movement against gender-based violence, which has been supporting Dasheka throughout this ordeal, expressed their dissatisfaction with the court’s decision. "It is disappointing that cases of domestic violence are not taken seriously. It is this very situation that makes victims fear for their lives. The court offers no protection to victims, while perpetrators merely receive a slap on the wrist. The system is failing us women," said the movement's Candice Ludick.
"It is impossible to stop the scourge of gender-based violence and femicide when we receive no support from the law." Ludick went on to say this sets a dangerous precedent, adding, "We don't want future generations to suffer our fate of growing up in an environment where GBV is normalised and justified. We need to break the cycle of abuse."