Boitumelo Mazibuko was left fighting for her life after she was allegedly stabbed multiple times by her former boyfriend, taxi driver Siyabonga Msimango, at Bree Taxi Rank in Johannesburg.
The 26-year-old was attacked on September 29 while at the taxi rank, with an informal trader intervening after reportedly realising that Msimango was repeatedly stabbing her.
Sibusiso Ngcobo, the secretary-general of informal traders at the Bree Taxi Rank, said he initially thought Mazibuko had fallen and needed assistance.
He said he soon realised she was being attacked.
“I thought I should go and assist her, but when I got closer I saw there was a man with her and assumed he was helping her up. Then I realised he was actually stabbing her and continued stabbing her.”
Ngcobo said Msimango allegedly stabbed Mazibuko in the back of her neck and between her breasts before she managed to get up and run away.
According to his account, Msimango allegedly chased her, caught up with her and threw her to the ground again.
Ngcobo then intervened, kicking Msimango as he allegedly attempted to slit Mazibuko’s throat. Msimango allegedly picked up the knife and chased Ngcobo before fleeing the scene.
Mazibuko was rushed to hospital and spent time in ICU. She has since been discharged from ICU but remains in hospital recovering from her injuries.
Her mother, Lebohang Zikode, said doctors believe a stab wound near Mazibuko’s spine may have damaged a nerve, leaving her without sensation in her left leg. (Sowetan)
Zikode said her daughter had ended her relationship with Msimango because of concerns about his alleged violent behaviour.
She also said Msimango allegedly contacted her after the attack, admitting that he had stabbed Boitumelo and asking for forgiveness.
According to messages shown to the media, Msimango allegedly said his family would travel from KwaZulu-Natal to apologise and offered R20,000 for the “embarrassment and harm” caused to Mazibuko.
Zikode rejected the offer.
“There is no amount of money that can equal the life of my child.”
Msimango has also allegedly said in his plea that he attacked Mazibuko because she would not stop talking to another man. (TimesLIVE)
Police spokesperson Colonel Dimakatso Nevhuhulwi confirmed that a case of attempted murder is being investigated. Msimango was arrested and appeared before the Johannesburg Magistrates’ Court on October 2, 2026. (Sowetan)
The attack was stopped after Ngcobo intervened, with the informal trader saying he could not stand by while Mazibuko was being attacked.
The case remains before the courts, and the allegations against Msimango have not been tested in court.
