Cape Town - A 52-year-old woman has appeared in the Kuils River Magistrate’s Court for beating her disabled partner of 30 years with his own walking stick.
The attack in their Mount Fletcher Street home in Kalkfontein was caught on video and shows the suspect hitting the 56-year-old man’s head and his body for about 20 seconds as he lay on the ground.
According to his niece, Zizipho Nkunzana, her uncle was involved in a car accident in 2006, leaving him paralysed on the left side of his body.
Nkunzana said the video showed a side of the couple’s relationship they didn’t know about.
“When we saw the video we were shocked. It’s bad.
“We then learnt through the community that she always beats my uncle, especially when she is drunk.”
Zodwa Booi, a member of Operation Dudula, an anti-immigration organisation, said they were alerted about the video and attempted to intervene.
“The Sunday we went through and spoke to her, she told us she sometimes hits him when she’s drunk but she doesn’t know why.
“That Saturday they had an argument and he went to sleep and was woken up by her hitting him.
“We also learnt that the man tried to open a case before but was told to first get a doctor’s report.
“I believe that is why we have so many men dying in silence because they don’t get the proper support when they are the victims of abuse.”
Police spokesperson, FC van Wyk, said a case of common assault and domestic violence was opened, while the woman was arrested on Monday.
“Police attended the scene and on arrival found the home filled with lots of community members that apparently wanted to intervene.
“She allegedly continuously assaults her husband as he is ill and cannot fight back.
“The members interviewed the husband and he did not want to open a criminal case. The police official then opened a case of assault common and arrested her.”
The case was postponed to October 23 with the suspect let out on bail and instructed not to go to the house.
Nkunzana said her uncle was living with his brother.