Calls to declare GBV a national disaster after woman's eyes gouged out in attack

The Citizen

01-05-2025

Calls to declare GBV a national disaster after woman's eyes gouged out in attack
The recent case of a woman in Richmond, Bongeka Nxele (26), who had her eyes gouged out, allegedly by her ex-boyfriend, has sparked widespread outrage on social media, with many calling on the government to declare gender-based violence (GBV) a national disaster.
A Richmond woman is facing a future without her sight after a savage gender-based violence attack that left her permanently blinded in one eye and with only a slim hope of partial vision in the other.
Her alleged attacker — Zenzele Xaba (36) — appeared in the Richmond Magistrate's Court on Tuesday, where his application for bail was denied.
The Witness interviewed Bongeka Nxele's mother, Zodwa Nxele, on camera and posted the video on various social media platforms.
Many social media users expressed their deep empathy for Nxele and called for justice to be served.
Clive Willows, a clinical psychologist, said until a proper evaluation is conducted, there is no way to understand what would go through an attacker's mind during such an incident.
'It may have been that [the attacker] wanted to get her to stop looking at other men. It may also have been that this was attempted murder. We do not want to speculate what was happening in [the attacker's] head at the time,' said Willows.
He added that there needs to be a different approach to address GBV in South Africa.
'Focus has been given to the victims of GBV. We have had awareness campaigns, strikes, marches, etc, but it is not stopping or decreasing GBV.
'We need to get to the root of the problem and address what causes people to do such heinous things, that would give us a deeper psychological understanding,' added Willows.
Women For Change started the #JusticForBongeka campaign on Instagram and said the attacker who stole her eyesight and shattered her life must be held fully accountable.
'[The attacker] must face the full consequences of his brutal actions. Bongeka deserves justice, not more betrayal from a system that should protect her,' read the Instagram post.
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