A dramatic scene unfolded on September 29 in Johannesburg when a 26-year-old woman, Boitumelo Mazibuko, was brutally stabbed by her 45-year-old ex-boyfriend, Siyabonga Msimanga, a taxi driver. Sibusiso Ngcobo, secretary-general of informal traders at the Bree Street Taxi Rank, risked his life to save Mazibuko, intervening just as Msimanga allegedly tried to slit her throat. Ngcobo initially thought Mazibuko had fallen and needed help, but as he approached, he realized she was fighting for her life.
Ngcobo described the horrific scene, saying Msimanga repeatedly stabbed Mazibuko while she was lying on the ground. The attacker stabbed her in the back of the neck and between her breasts, and Ngcobo shouted at him to stop, but Msimanga continued. Mazibuko managed to get up and run, but Msimanga chased her, caught up with her, and threw her to the ground again. Ngcobo then rushed towards the attacker and kicked him in the head as he attempted to slit Mazibuko's throat.
The attack occurred just a day after President Cyril Ramaphosa addressed the nation on efforts to combat gender-based violence, urging men to lead by example and help in the fight against GBV. Ngcobo's bravery was lauded by many, but he said several taxi drivers warned him that he had interfered with a dangerous man and that he should look after himself. Msimanga is a well-known taxi driver with a reputation for violence, and many witnesses were too afraid to physically intervene.
Mazibuko has been discharged from ICU but is still recovering in hospital, facing a long road to recovery after losing sensation in her left leg. Doctors believe a stab wound near her spine may have damaged a nerve. Her mother, Lebohang Zikode, expressed deep gratitude to Ngcobo for saving her daughter's life, saying the attack would have ended in murder had Ngcobo not intervened.
Zikode also revealed that Msimanga contacted her after the attack, admitting to stabbing Mazibuko and asking for forgiveness. He offered R20,000 as compensation for the harm caused, a gesture Zikode described as shocking and inadequate. According to Zikode, her daughter had ended her relationship with Msimanga due to concerns about his alleged violent behavior.
Police spokesperson Col Dimakatso Nevhuhulwi confirmed that a case of attempted murder is being investigated, and Msimanga was arrested and appeared before the Johannesburg magistrate's court on October 2. Ngcobo's actions have been hailed as heroic, and his bravery has been commended by many.
The incident highlights the ongoing issue of gender-based violence in South Africa and the need for citizens to take a stand against such crimes. Ngcobo's selfless actions demonstrate the impact one person can have in saving a life, and his story serves as a testament to the power of courage and intervention in the face of violence.
Key points
- Siyabonga Msimanga, the 45-year-old taxi driver, was arrested and charged with attempted murder.
- Boitumelo Mazibuko, 26, is recovering in hospital after losing sensation in her left leg.
- Sibusiso Ngcobo, the informal trader, intervened in the attack, kicking Msimanga and saving Mazibuko's life.
