I want people to remember Sivenathi Toto as the young woman she was before the attack.
Sive was only 23.
In August 2022 she was attacked so severely in George that her life changed permanently. According to the case before court, she was dragged from her home, assaulted until she lost consciousness and then dumped near a petrol station.
She survived.
But she suffered severe brain damage and a stroke. She lost her ability to speak and walk independently and is now permanently wheelchair-bound and dependent on other people for her daily care.
The man accused of attacking her was reportedly granted bail the day after his arrest.
Action Society became involved and continued monitoring her case. Four years later, the court process is still continuing.
When we talk about GBV victims, we understandably speak about the women who have been murdered.
But there are also women like Sive.
Alive, but carrying catastrophic injuries for the rest of their lives.
Her life cannot simply become another forgotten court file because she survived.
Say her name too.
IC