South Africans rally behind Durban GBV victim amid alleged police inaction

Mapaballo Borotho

South Africans have rallied behind Durban stylist Neneza Mthembu after she accused police of repeatedly failing to act on her GBV cases.
Actress Nomzamo Mbatha shared graphic images of Mthembu’s injuries, revealing she is in ICU with burn wounds allegedly inflicted by her boyfriend.
The case has sparked renewed calls for SAPS to take GBV complaints seriously and act decisively.

South Africans have rallied behind a Durban-based woman following allegations that the justice system and police failed to protect her from ongoing gender-based violence (GBV).

Public outrage erupted after the victim took to social media to detail how members of the South African Police Service (SAPS) in KwaZulu-Natal allegedly failed to act despite multiple cases opened against her abusive boyfriend.

Among those showing solidarity is actress Nomzamo Mbatha, who shared disturbing images and videos of the victim’s injuries on Instagram.

The victim, Durban stylist Neneza Mthembu, alleged that she has been physically abused by her boyfriend since the beginning of their relationship.

In the images shared by Mbatha, Mthembu is seen crying with a swollen, reddened eye, while other photos show extensive bruising.

“My blood is boiling. My heart is broken and I am livid,” Mbatha said.

Mbatha also shared images of a bat that was reportedly used to assault Mthembu, alleging that the accused is being protected by both police and his father. She pleaded with authorities to take immediate action.

Mthembu said posting the images was her final plea for help.

“This monster has been abusing me physically from the day we started dating. I have opened four cases that failed because no police get near him, and his father will bribe his way out,” she said.

“I was assaulted again last night, but no one came to my rescue.”