By Sitha Maliwa
Award-winning actress Brenda Ngxoli has bravely broken her silence, revealing the heart-wrenching abuse she endured at the hands of her ex-boyfriend, Samphiwa; the father of their three-year-old daughter, whom he has never seen. In a gut-wrenching social media post, Ngxoli exposed the shocking depths of her trauma, revealing not only the physical and emotional abuse she suffered but also the devastating financial ruin he left her in.
With raw emotion, Ngxoli recounted the horrific experiences that have haunted her for years. She claimed that her ex-boyfriend, Samphiwa, should never be granted custody of their daughter if she were to die, a statement born from the deep pain of her past. Her decision to speak out, she said, was triggered by the chilling Cwecwe case, an event that pushed her to confront the buried secrets of her own suffering.
“He would beat me, starve me, and lock me up,” Ngxoli said, her words heavy with the weight of a trauma that still lingers. “He would say, ‘Should you die, I will bury you and enjoy myself.’” These horrifying words, once mere whispers in her mind, now serve as a stark reminder of the torment she endured in silence.
The actress revealed how, after escaping the clutches of her abuser with the help of a friend, she uncovered the shocking betrayal that left her financially destroyed. “He cleared out my bank accounts and left me R200,000 in debt. I only found out after I left. I also left him two properties,” she shared.
In an attempt to further expose the cruelty she had endured, Ngxoli posted a disturbing video of Samphiwa, clearly drunk and refusing to return her bank cards. His erratic behavior revealed the depths of his addiction and control over her life.
But the story didn’t end there. In a series of private messages, Samphiwa expressed regret and sorrow for the way he had treated her, offering apologies that felt more like desperate pleas for forgiveness. “I’m very sorry for how deeply I hurt you. No one deserves what I did,” he wrote. He added: “This addiction thing is hard, especially when you’re hiding it.”
But even as he apologised, he showed his true colours. In another message, he begged her to talk. “We have many things to talk about and find ways forward. Please say something,” he wrote, his desperation palpable. “You were the breadwinner. Now you’re gone, and there’s no food in the house. The chickens are starving, and I am starving too.”
And despite all the pain and betrayal, Samphiwa’s pleas didn’t stop. He still begged for another chance, unable to face the reality of his actions. The incident has attracted significant media frenzy, prompting many women to share their own experiences of abuse in their relationships. This wave of testimonials has shed light on the widespread issue of domestic violence in South Africa and has empowered others to speak out. However, some critics have accused Ngxoli of seeking public attention by capitalizing on Cwecwe’s situation. This controversy has led to heated discussions about the ethics of sharing personal stories in the public sphere, as well as the fine line between advocating for victims and pursuing personal gain. – @NewsSA_Online