‘He hit her so many times that she feared for her life’
The mother of a Cape woman who was fatally stabbed, allegedly by her ex-boyfriend, said her daughter had feared for her life after ending their abusive relationship.
|||Cape Town - Elsonia Matthys, 30, was stabbed 20 times, allegedly by her former boyfriend who had been stalking her.
She was stabbed near the busy Paarl taxi rank on Thursday morning while on her way to work. Matthys, a mother of two, died on the scene. Shortly afterwards, the man handed himself over to the police. He is expected to appear in court on Monday.
Sunday, Matthys’ mother, Alice Izaks, said her daughter had moved back to the family home with her two sons, Demitri, 2, and Geraldo, 6, in March after living with the suspect for a year.
Izaks said that they had been going out for a few months before living together, and her daughter had suffered abuse almost throughout the period.
“He had hit her so many times, and she was afraid for her life and her two boys. The last time he attacked her it happened at her work, which is why she came home,” said Izaks. She added that Matthys moved back with her sons, but out of fear for her life decided against laying charges.
Izaks said every few days the suspect would walk about 10 minutes from his house to her in Groenheuwel, initially pleading with her to take him back. Afterwards, however, he would threaten her. “She was such a lovely child. How do I explain this to her boys? I can’t believe my child was taken away from me like this. It’s an unbearable pain.”
Sonke Gender Justice director of strategic partnerships and co-Founder Bafana Khumalo said people generally had no knowledge of the help available to them.
“Many people don’t know that an interdict also acts as a warrant of arrest. When the incident at her work occurred, she could have had him incarcerated,” said Khumalo, citing the need to inform women.
Police spokesperson Noloyiso Rwexana confirmed the murder, which is under investigation.
Women seeking counselling and support can call the Stop Women Abuse Helpline toll-free on 0800 150 150, or for emergencies the SAPS on 08600 10111.
dominic.adriaanse@inl.co.za
Cape Times