Social media has proven to be a powerful tool once more, following the viral images displaying bruises of domestic violence which led to an arrest of the perpetrator.
A popular Durban hairstylist and founder of Nenezane’s Hair Studios, Sinenhlanhla Neneza Mthembu, recently cried for help on social media, revealing that she has endured domestic violence and abuse from her partner, Andile Junior.
Sinenhlanhla shared that she has had to hide her bruises and sometimes had to lie about them to her clients. She revealed that she has endured physical assault from Andile silently for a long time. She tried several times to open a case against Andile. However, she alleged that his father bribes police officers.
Her plea for help reached many people and subsequently caught the attention of police in KwaZulu-Natal. Hardly 48 hours later, police have arrested a 24-year-old suspect in connection with the alleged assault of his 31-year-old girlfriend and maliciously damaging her vehicle during a domestic violence related incident at V Section in Umlazi on Friday.
Sinenhlanhla is currently in hospital due to burn wounds which she allegedly suffered when she was setting alight her boyfriend’s car which she burnt to ashes. Once discharged from hospital, she will face counter charges of assault and malicious damage to property, reported Crime Watch SA.
[BOYFRIEND ARRESTED FOR ASSAULTING GIRLFRIEND – GIRLFRIEND TO FACE A CHARGE OF BURNING BOYFRIENDS CAR]
Police in KwaZulu-Natal have noted a social media buzz about a woman who accused police of inaction after she reported a case of assault with intent to cause grievous bodily… pic.twitter.com/w9VZtCE4Pk
— Justice, Crime Prevention and Security (@CrimeWatch_RSA) January 12, 2026
X (formerly Twitter) users weighed in:
Snenhlanhla Nenezane Mthembu has been physically abused by her boyfriend Andile Junior from the day they started dating. She has opened 4 cases so far with because no police gets near him & because his father always bribe he’s way out. The latest Case no: 191/1/2026 pic.twitter.com/9yEihGxHNS
— Man’s NOT Barry Roux (@AdvoBarryRoux) January 12, 2026
She came to the internet with one sided story that favored her narrative. Bloody swine https://t.co/A5dqHbe97y
— Monsieur Gregg 🇿🇦 (@g_mapaya) January 13, 2026
So she also burnt his Car into Ashes, this was defintely a Toxic relationship, i hope the state will intervene in issuing a Protection order against each other, ayikho lento 🙆🏾♂️🙆🏾♂️🙆🏾♂️🙆🏾♂️🙆🏾♂️ pic.twitter.com/aWaz8FOvYj
— Msunu ka Johann Rupert (@ZizinjaAbelungu) January 12, 2026
Also see: Being Her Safe Place: How South Africans Can Support Women Living With Abuse
