She is grateful for the support she has received from fans ever since she came forward to share her story of alleged abuse in the hands of her ex and father of two of her kids.
Some weeks ago, businesswoman and influencer Sithelo Shozi revealed the reasons why she believes she and Royal AM chairman and artist Andile Mpisane separated.
In several posts on Instagram, she accused Andile of physically abusing her.
"That was God saving me from eventually taking my own life. Nothing has been more liberating. I saw God’s hand in my most vulnerable place,” she wrote.
She also claimed she had a miscarriage due to the alleged abuse.
“Let’s start when I was beaten to a pulp and had a miscarriage at the hands of my so-called ‘victim’ in a room of his family and friends, rushed to the nearest hospital and treated like nothing happened,” she wrote.
Andile’s mom Shauwn Mpisane, sister Sibahle Mpisane have come forward to defend Andile, saying: “I would like to categorically state that neither myself nor my family have been witness to any alleged abuse. These allegations are false and defamatory.”
They will be seeking legal advice on the matter, Shauwn said in the statement.
“Sithelo is known for many things like falling pregnant with her first child from a married man. Then she was the reason behind the divorce. Sithelo is a person who likes attacking people verbally,” Sibahle told listeners in a Twitter spaces interview.
Read more l Chrissy Teigen and John Legend share delightful news: ‘Joy has filled our home and hearts again’
Sithelo has since partnered with the NPO that raises awareness on gender-based violence, Women For Change, and they created a petition asking for a protection order against the father of her children.
The signatures on the petition have reached the 50 000 mark, and the mom of three thanked her fans and followers for the support.
“Thank you to everyone who took time to sign the petition, it has done exceptionally well and exceeded all our expectations, it surely will serve its purpose,” she wrote on social media.
“I've realised how easy it is to say or encourage everyone on speaking out about their past traumas, things they may be going through even in the present moment, but nobody really prepares you for the backlash that comes with it. We are truly a big part of the problem too, unfortunately.
In the petition, Sithelo writes, “My name is Sithelo Shozi. I am a mother of one boy and two baby girls, and I have been abused physically and emotionally, and I am constantly intimidated by the father of my children.
"I have filed for a protection order and ask you to please sign this petition to plead for justice to prevail; for the protection order to be granted so that me and my children are safe.
Read more l From pretending to be a YoTV presenter to hosting her own Channel O show – Pamela Mtanga is unstoppable
“I was in a two-and-a-half-year relationship with the father of my children.
"While in the relationship I was beaten mercilessly and consistently. I did the best I could and stayed silent, but now I feel that I have been through enough.
"I feel that I have been abused and pushed far enough by the father of my children.
“The father of my children beat me to a pulp while I was pregnant with our last child, and I had to wait 3 days to find out if my baby would survive.
"The last [straw] was when the father of the children started questioning the paternity of our last child – after everything that I silently withstood.
"My children are far too young to live with a mother who is being bullied, intimidated, and still facing abuse.
"I am a human being too and this kind of abuse has gone on for too long. I want freedom and justice. The father of my child still calls threatening to kill me.
"Even though I’ve moved out of our joint home with the children, he has managed to find out where we now live. I have filed for a protection order against the father of my children.
"The hearing for the granting of a final protection order against him will be heard on the 31st of October 2022 at the Point Waterfront Magistrate’s Court.
"I have started this petition to plead for justice to prevail; for the protection order to be granted so that me and my children are safe.”
She goes on to say that she deserves justice.
"I deserve a chance to be free too; to have the justice system of South Africa protect a woman and a mother; to protect me.
"I don’t want to be one of the statistics - a number - or one of the women who die at the hands of a man like many women do in this country.
"I don’t want cries for “Justice for Sithelo” when my body lies dead and cold. I want to live. I need protection. Please sign my petition.”
