I survived my attacker's chokehold: "My eyes felt like it popped from the strain, but I lived to tell the tale"

“I survived to tell the tale and hopefully encourage other young girls to not be arrogant, and think you can change a man.”

Those are the words of 21-year-old Micha Renge, who sat opposite the Weekend Argus this week recounting the night she believes she was supposed to die "at the hands of the man I thought loved me".

Confident yet visibly emotional, Renge began with a message to those who have questioned her account.

“Let me clarify something, especially to the women flooding my inbox asking me what I did to make him this angry. I did nothing. I was getting myself out of that relationship and he didn’t want that. He didn’t want to hear that we were over after I caught him using drugs.”

Renge said the ordeal began just before 2am on 22 December 2025 after the couple left a party near Mnandi Beach.

“I came out of the bathroom and saw him using drugs. That confirmed my suspicion. He always denied it and I believed him, even though my gut was telling me something was off.”

She said she waited until they left the party to confront him and end the relationship.

“That was one of my boundaries. I wasn’t going to be with someone who is on drugs because I have a daughter who is only two. I can’t have her around someone like that. I had asked him many times before and even said if it was true, I would help him get away from it.”

Moments after raising the issue, she says she was assaulted.

“He forced me to kiss him, he reeked of drugs, I refused to kiss him and then he smacked me a few times. I walked away and told him I was for sure leaving him. Then he took off his belt, wrapped it around my neck and started to pull me towards the beach.”

The accused, who is significantly taller and bigger built than the petite Renge, allegedly dragged her through bushes near Mnandi Beach and towards a canal where, she claims, the attack continued for hours.

Renge alleges she was repeatedly assaulted and strangled, losing consciousness several times.

“He would stop and ask me if I was going to tell anyone, then force me to clean myself in the canal. Then it would start again.”

Throughout the ordeal, she says one thought kept her fighting to survive her two-year-old daughter.

“I kept thinking about my child. I prayed to God to give me strength to survive so I could go back to her and one day tell my story.”

As daylight approached, she realised they were near a road close to a high school in Mnandi. She says she told him whatever she thought would calm him down.

“I told him I wouldn’t leave him or tell anyone. I just wanted to get home and get ready for work.”

He allegedly took her to his residence where his mother and sister were present. Renge said she tried to signal for help but was too afraid to escalate the situation.

“I didn’t want to cause a scene because I was scared he would kill me.”

She wrote down what had happened and left the note in the kitchen sink before eventually managing to tell his mother what had transpired. The accused allegedly fled.

Renge said his mother accompanied her to get transport home. But the ordeal was not over.

“When I got home I realised he had my key and my phone. I sat on the stoep and prayed again, thanking God for sparing me.”

She alleges he arrived at her home shortly afterwards, forced his way inside and continued the assault.

“I thought we were alone until we staggered against the cupboard. A few minutes later my cousin knocked on the door. He said he could hear me screaming.”

According to Renge, the accused told her cousin they were merely arguing. She says she was too weak to stand.

“My body felt like it gave up.”

When his phone allegedly fell from his pocket, she said she seized the opportunity to message her employer and send a video.

"I moved the cabinet behind the door and sat against it, I sat and listened to him walking up and down passed the door."

After the sound of his foot steps disappeared, she signaled to her cousin through a window, making sure to not be loud, in case he was still around.

She recalled later opening a case at a police station and being informed the following day that the accused had been arrested.

“I’m not sharing this because I want sympathy. I’m sharing it to encourage other women to get out. Leave when your gut tells you to. Don’t think you can change a man. I gave him so many chances. Even that day I believed he would let me live.”

She claimed the accused repeatedly threatened her life during the ordeal.

Today, while she has found the strength to speak publicly, she said facing him in court remains difficult.

“He shows no remorse. He is denying everything even having a belt. But I know my God doesn’t sleep.”

The accused has applied for bail. Renge admits she fears for her safety should he be released but remains resolute.

“At least I survived to tell my story.”

The matter is expected to come before the Mitchells Plain Magistrates' Court on 27 February 2026.

Weekend Argus