According to the young mom, her boyfriend arrived at her house angry, accusing her of gossiping about him with her friend. He broke the windows of her house before leaving. “After he left, I went to the Namakgale Police Station to get a protection order against him, because I was scared that he might return and harm us.

“At about 18:00 on the same day, he entered my house through the window he broke earlier. He was holding a knife, scissors, and a screwdriver and said he was going to teach me a lesson. Together with the kids I managed to run out of the house and called for help. He ran away as people were coming to assist. “I went back to the station to report the incident.

I was still there when we learned that my house was on fire.” The 33-year-old woman says she has lost everything she has worked for. She says the boyfriend was recently released on parole. “I’m pleading with the community and businesses to assist me to help rebuild my home.” She is also looking for any employment that can help her to get her and her kids lives’ back.

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She is currently staying at the Victim Empowerment Centre (VEC) at the police station and has nowhere to go. She fears for her and her children’s lives. The manager at the centre, Linah Malebe, says cases such as Kedibone’s are common. She says they go around communities teaching women to leave abusive relationships.

“We try our best to assist victims, but resources are a challenge, we only receive financial support from the Department of Social Development and funds are exhausted after some time and we are then forced to ask for donations from individuals and police officers to buy food for the victims,” she says. Anyone who can assist Kedibone and her family can call Selby at 065 863 1155, Mantsane at 072 838 3958, or Felicia at 081 841 4267. Those who want to contribute towards the VEC can contact Linah at 078 352 0084.