Dimakatso Ratselane nee Folotsi is a radio presenter at SABC’s Lesedi FM whose story caught national attention in 2021 following her gruesome attack by her then-husband.
Her attack brought to light the plight of millions of women worldwide who suffer from physical assault and even death from their partners at home.
Here are all the details about what happened to Dimakatso Ratselane from Lesedi FM, what happened to her husband, and what she is currently doing.
Dimakatso Ratselane from Lesedi FM gruesome attack
In mid-February 2021 Dimakatso Ratselane from Lesedi FM dominated our headlines after reports that she had been brutally attacked and left for dead by her husband emerged.
The radio presenter was found covered in blood and barely recognisable at around midnight on 11th February 2021 in Mangaung, Bloemfontein by community members who rushed her to Pelonomi Hospital.
According to the police investigation, Dimakatso Rastselane was attacked by her husband after a heated argument. The two were on their way to Phase 2 Mangaung to pick up their children when the fight ensued.
What happened to Dimakatso Ratselane’s husband?
Shortly after news of Dimakatso Ratselane from Lesedi FM broke, a warrant of arrest was issued for her husband who was the main suspect in the horrific attack. A manhunt was also launched immediately as the husband had gone missing.
While SABC condemned the attack on Dimakatso and called for action by the police, SA police service intensified their search for the suspect and circulated his images on social media, asking members of the public to report any information they had to the authorities.
After being on the run for six days, the long arm of the law caught up with Mackenzie Ratselane and he was arrested by police in a house in Ennerdale, Johannesburg where he was hiding.
He was taken to police custody where he spent the night. On 18th February 2021, he appeared in Bloemfontein Magistrate’s Court where he was later charged with kidnapping, assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, attempted murder, and possession of an unlicensed firearm and ammunition.
On 21st February 2021, the Lesedi FM presenter told the court how her husband who had been drinking alcohol accused her of cheating on him and started stabbing her. She also narrated how her husband had started abusing her shortly after giving birth to their first child and it got worse with time.
After several postponements by the defense, the case against Mackenzie Ratselane began on 23rd March 2021 but was postponed to a later date.
Read also: What happened to Pabi Moloi’s husband?
Did Dimakatso Ratselane from Lesedi FM return to work?
In April 2021, Dimakatso Ratselane made a grand return to radio after making a full recovery from her multiple stab wounds.
She also appeared in SABC 2’s show Leihlo La Sechaba, together with her children where she narrated her whole ordeal on national television.
Along with her radio career, Dimakatso Ratselane from Lesedi FM is also currently a vocal advocate against Gender-Based Violence.
She has earned the title Mrs Champion and uses her own story to inspire other women living in abusive relationships. She also actively raises awareness about GBV and during the 16 days of activism against gender-based violence in 2021, she ran a campaign aimed at creating a shelter for victims of abuse who don’t have a safe place to turn to.
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