Mrs SA Universe finalist rescues kidnapped Botha’s Hill woman
The 25-year-old victim said if it was not for the quick thinking Sibongile, she would have left the room in a body bag.
GUIDED by her motherly instinct, Sarnia resident, Sibongile Engel could not turn a blind eye after viewing a disturbing Facebook post.
The post was shared by a young woman from Botha’s Hill (KwaNyuswa) who was being beaten and held against her will by her boyfriend on Saturday, 1 August.
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In her Facebook post, the 25-year-old said she had been kidnapped by her boyfriend.
She went on to say that she has been beaten to a pulp, strangled and suffocated with a pillow a few times.
The post went to say her boyfriend also threatened her with a gun.
Engel who is a Mrs SA Universe finalist said she has just completed a presentation and decided to browse through Facebook as she was struggling to sleep.
“I never log in to Facebook so late but I strongly believe that post was meant for me to see and that everything happens for a reason,” said Engel.
Engel said the post just popped up on her news feed.
“I was shaking when I read it, we have heard of too many stories of women dying at the hands of their partners.”
Engel started sharing the post and called on people who she believed could assist.
“I called a friend of mine who works at a local radio station and asked if he could ask the person on duty to share the news.”
She then called 10111 and said she was fortunate to get hold of female police officers.
“They were so eager to assist, they were so prompt and kept updating me. The neighbours came out and the matter was resolved in 30 minutes,” said Engel.
Although the perpetrator got away, the down to earth Engel said she was happy that the victim got out alive.
“I would never have forgiven myself if I read that post and did nothing. Engel said she loved the fact that the victim asked for help.
“It also shows the power of social media. I would love to salute all the people who assisted, especially women, it was so beautiful seeing women standing together and fighting for another woman,” she added.
Engel appeals to people to believe a person when they ask for help instead of judging them.The victim said she cannot thank the people enough for taking her post seriously and assisting her.
She said she only started dating the man a month ago.In addition she has never been in an abusive relationship before.
“I was shocked, I remember the one time, he strangled me for a very long time. I fell and went on my knees and started praying. When he heard me praying, he beat me up more.
“He turned into a monster, he tortured me so much. I never experienced so much pain I had made peace that it was my last day on earth,” said the victim.
She said she was most grateful to Engel for going out of her way to get her help.”If it was not for them, my mom would have fetched me in a body bag,” she said.
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