Cape Town - A young mother is determined to warn other women about her boyfriend who allegedly beat her with his fist wearing huge rings.
On Thursday, Ronelle Ellenburgh, 25, finally obtained a protection order against her lover of a year, whom they have dubbed “King ding a ling”.
It’s believed the 32-year-old Mitchells Plain man will be arrested soon, after Ellenburgh opened a case of assault for an attack which took place on Sunday.
The mother of one claims her boyfriend is possessive and controlling and that she has to ask his permission when she wants to go out.
She has deep bruises and lacerations on her eyes, face and neck, with huge ring shapes imprinted on her skin.
They were apparently made by her boyfriend, who wears large rings on both hands.
Ellenburgh said this is the first time she was brave enough to go to the police and break the silence of abuse.
She said at midnight on Sunday, she and a female pal were at Las Vegas Lounge in Westridge, not realising her boyfriend was also there.
“He saw me and asked what I am doing there and that I am not allowed there,” she said.
“He makes it a point that even if I am going to the Liberty Promenade, I must ask his permission and tell him what time I am leaving and when I am back, so he can time me.
“He took me to the VIP room and began smacking me, asking me why I am at the club.”
He allegedly dragged her outside to his VW Polo where he beat her up and threatened to stab her. They drove home.
“He kept demanding me to say things, and asked me who I belong to. I said no one, and when I got it wrong, he would take out his knife and beat me.
“I feared him so much in that moment that I just said what he wanted to hear, to get away.
“He used to smack me before, but it was never this bad,” she claimed.
Ellenburgh has now obtained a protection order, fearing he will come after her.
“I didn’t have the courage before, but I want to encourage other women to stand up for themselves.”
“‘Like he always wanted to keep me a prisoner, I will do the same to him now, once he is arrested and this is out, he will want to hide himself,” she said.
Her friend, Alicia Engel, 29, claimed “King ding a ling” is a ladies’ man and cheated on her friend.
“He loves attention and thinks he is the king,” she said.
“We heard this week he is apparently engaged to another person and has other girls.”
Police spokesperson, Sergeant Noloyiso Rwexana, said a case of assault was opened for investigation and no one is arrested yet.