Left for dead, now disabled

Video

GEORGE NEWS & VIDEO - A family from Lawaaikamp has been left irate and desperate after their beloved sister and daughter, Sivenathi Toto (23), was severely assaulted, left for dead on 26 August 2022.

She now lives with brain damage. The suspect, Shaun Madonono, also 23, was released on bail after his arrest on 27 August 2022.

According to Toto's cousin Nosikhumbuzo Mhlaba, the attack was driven by revenge.

"Her boyfriend went out and apparently had a fight with the suspect. After the fight, the suspect allegedly returned to the boyfriend's house to take revenge," said Mhlaba.

Attack

According to Mhlaba, Toto's boyfriend was not home when Madonono arrived and Toto was sleeping in her boyfriend's outside room. Madonono allegedly broke down the door and forced her to go to his house where he severely assaulted her.

"He grabbed her and dragged her to his house two streets away, where he allegedly beat her until she was unconscious," Mhlaba said.

It is believed that after the attack, Madonono put Toto in his bakkie and left her behind the Total garage in Nelson Mandela Boulevard. Mhlaba told George Herald that Toto was discovered by a petrol attendant sometime during the night.

She was taken home by a neighbour and opened a case at the police station the following day, after which she was taken to hospital for a medical examination.

Madonono was arrested on the same day. He has since been released on bail and is facing charges of assault with the intent to commit grievous bodily harm, kidnapping and housebreaking.

He appeared in the Thembalethu Magistrate's Court yesterday, Wednesday 10 May. The case was postponed to 30 May. Madonono was given until 12 June to find alternative accommodation outside Lawaaikamp. He currently lives one street from the victim.

Sivenathi Toto before the incident.

Medical issues

In December 2022, Toto apparently suffered a stroke. Her family believes it is due to the trauma and injuries caused by the incident. In April she was again admitted to the hospital where, according to the family, blood clots were found on her brain.

Since the incident, Toto has lost some of her cognitive abilities, she can't walk unaided, she lost control over her urinary tract movements, saliva drips from her mouth and she has to be fed.

"She can't talk and she has night terrors," said her father, Simo Toto. "She only wants to sleep next to me. That is where she feels safe."

Sivenathi Toto (23) with her parents, Natasha (left) and Simo Toto, and Asonele Melapi, founder and chair of the NGO Nokwanda Patocka GBVF Foundation, who supports them. Photo: Michelle Pienaar

VIDEO: Sivenathi Toto: Left for dead, now disabled

Hospital confirms

The district spokesperson for the Western Cape Health Department, Nadia Ferreira, confirmed that Toto was admitted to George Hospital in August 2022, twice in February this year and once in April.

"Following assessment protocol, the patient was referred for a brain CT scan in March. When the patient's condition deteriorated, she was admitted to George Hospital on 26 April for care. She was discharged on 3 May on chronic medication and with a rehabilitation support plan in place to ensure continued care," said Ferreira.

Toto's mother, Natasha, had to leave her job to look after her daughter who used to be employed by her father as a supervisor for his business, Ceduma Maintenance.

The community of Lawaaikamp signed a petition last Saturday, 6 May, during a peaceful march in support of Sive Toto. Almost 300 signatures were obtained.

NGO gets involved

The founder and chair of the non-governmental organisation Nokwanda Patocka GBV Foundation, Asonele Melapi, earlier this week travelled from Gqeberha to assist the Toto family in their quest for justice.

With Melapi's help, a national online petition secured 2 224 signatures. A local petition gained 300 signatures from Lawaaikamp residents. Residents also joined in a protest march and prayer session last weekend.

"We want him behind bars," said Melapi. "These people are asking that this man's bail will be rescinded and that he be placed in police custody for the remainder of the trial."

Asonele Melapi, founder and chair of the NGO Nokwanda Patocka GBVF Foundation, who stands solidly behind the family during their ordeal. Photo: Michelle Pienaar

No counselling

According to Melapi, authorities ignored the family up until now. "Sive received no counselling after the attack, and the perpetrator received police bail when he was not even supposed to be out on the street. He went back to living in the street near the victim," she says.

"He walks past her house, spits in their driveway and actually told her family 'I am not finished with her'. What was done to her is malicious and sick."

Residents of Lawaaikamp picketing in front of Thembalethu Court on Wednesday morning in an attempt to revoke Modonono's bail. Photo: Michelle Pienaar