Acid attack victim unable to dress herself
She’s not able to straighten her arms and is unable to dress herself.
This is the reality for Ntombekhaya Tofu, after she allegedly had acid thrown on her by her boyfriend of 10 months, Charles Ndhlovu (34).
Ndhlovu went on trial today (September 22) in the Benoni Regional Court, for attempted murder.
He pleaded not guilty.
The victim, who is a Chief Albert Luthuli Park resident, allegedly had an altercation with Ndhlovu at her home on April 9.
According to the accused’s version, which was put to the victim through defence advocate Anthony Graf, he and Tofu were pulling at a container when he let go, resulting in the contents of it spilling over her.
However, Tofu said Ndhlovu had thrown the substance at her from outside the house, while she was in the kitchen.
Her mother, Monica Ngwatha, said she was in another room in the house when she heard her daughter scream: “Charles, why are you burning me, is it because I don’t want you anymore?”
She also claimed to have heard her daughter calling out: “Mom, I am burning, come.”
Tofu accused her boyfriend of being physically abusive and having stolen from her, the court heard.
Graf asked why she had not opened criminal cases. She said she did not press charges because her boyfriend apologised.
She was hospitalised in the Far East Rand Hospital on the night of the incident and was discharged on July 18.
The matter has been postponed to October 10, for Graf to investigate alleged fabrication of contents contained within Ngwatha’s statement and to visit the home where the incident took place.
The accused will remain in custody.
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