The woman claims to have been assaulted, burnt with a corrosive substance, and starved over two days by the councillor, who cannot be identified until he is formally charged with a crime and makes his first court appearance.

The councillor declined to comment on the allegations on Wednesday.

The EFF, whose eMalahleni Gender-Based Violence desk assisted the woman with pressing charges after her escape, have also declined to comment on the veracity of the allegations against the councillor, with an EFF councillor telling the Middelburg Observer it was now in the hands of the police to determine whether the allegations are actually true.

According to the pregnant victim, she was allegedly held captive over a laptop the councillor alleges she stole from him.

A number of sources within law enforcement and gender-based counselling services told the paper that attempts to reach the victim had been fruitless since her supposed escape on Monday evening.

According to people the paper spoke to, the alleged victim could not be reached despite numerous physical visits to her home.

The sources say the woman does not have a cellphone, and neighbours said to be in contact with her, say they have been unable to reach her.

Despite accusing her alleged assailant of burning her with corrosive liquids, the victim, in so far as the paper could establish by witnesses in contact with her, declined medical treatment.

The accusations resulted in protests in front of the councillor’s home on Monday night, where tyres were also set alight.

The ANC is yet to comment on the serious allegations levelled against the councillor.