Burning for some closure
ACID ATTACK VICTIM: WILL LEARN HUSBAND’S FATE ON 8 DECEMBER She turns her life around and is now activist against gender-based violence.
Six years after suffering third-degree burns due to an alleged acid attack, Pontso Serumula’s life had returned to normal.
Now she is more outgoing, takes annual solo vacations and is an activist who encourages abused women to speak out.
On 14 April, 2014, Serumula was preparing for night shift at work when she heard a knock at the door. Behind the door was her husband, Given, who, at the time, had not lived at home for the previous three months, she said.
The night before, Serumula had sat her husband down to put an end to their just over 10-year marriage, which she described as abusive.
“I was telling him I want a divorce. He was abusive. I remember in 2007 or 2008, he bit my tongue almost off. He was a very abusive person for years.”
After calling off her marriage, she didn’t expect her husband to return the following day.
“When he got in the house, he had a bottle half-fi lled with a substance. I thought it was mageu.
“I then prepared my food to eat and as I was eating, he just grabbed my plate. I then gave him the plate and stood up. He picked up the bottle and I thought he was going to hit me since I was [ leaving]. Instead of hitting me, he
poured that substance on me.”
The mother of three from Thokoza in Ekurhuleni suffered 55% burns to her upper body and face.
In a long battle for recovery and pusuit of justice, her husband faced charges of attempted murder. The verdict is expected to be handed down on 8 December in the Palm Ridge Magistrate’s court.
Despite the attack leaving her hospitalised for two years, Serumula was glad it happened as she fi nally felt free.
“No one heard my cries or believed what was going on and perceived him as someone peaceful, humble and respectful. My cries fell on deaf ears… At least I got my freedom back.
“Right now, my life is back to normal. I am living my life and doing things I never did before. I am more outgoing and part of my therapy is to thank myself by taking a vacation every year and just taking care of myself.”
Serumula is now a genderviolence (GBV) activist who encourages women to speak out.
“When you see famous people speak of GBV, it’s as if they are doing it for publicity. It doesn’t feel real. But if it is someone who lived it every day, it feels closer to home and helps other women open up.”
She advises women to live their lives and seek independence to avoid being stuck in abusive marriages from a young age.
“We got married when I was 19 years old. My advice is for young women to live their lives, be stable, have a career only then enter into marriage.
“As soon as he shows signs of abuse, or hits you and then apologises, don’t think twice, just move out. Because not everyone survives. A lot don’t live to tell the tale.”