By: Natasha Archary
South African singer and songwriter, Lady Zamar has opened up about her alleged rape ordeal, saying just because the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) threw out her case, it doesn’t mean it didn’t happen.
The Collide hitmaker, whose real name is Yamikani Janet Banda, reportedly shared with City Press how she suffered compound Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) after her ex, Sjava allegedly sexually assaulted her.
This comes after the singer has been dragged on social media for “lying about the rape”, because the NPA cited there was insufficient evidence to pursue rape charges against Sjava.
Earlier this year, the Tembisa born artist said that since her case was thrown out, people have slandered her with intentions to hurt her.
In 2017, Lady Zamar accused her ex-boyfriend of rape, an allegation he categorically denied.
A year later, Lady Zamar opened a case of rape against Sjava who filed an application at the high court to get the charges against him scrapped.
Fast-forward to 2020 and the NPA threw out Lady Zamar’s case against Sjava, leaving the 36-year old artist with the reputation of lying about something so serious.
However, the singer who says she’s been laying low, is now more vocal about the incident she says led to her falling into severe depression.
“Mentally, I struggled for a very long time. In 2017, I had just dropped my first album, King Zamar, and then something really bad happened to me.
I was never really allowed to deal with it because I had to keep being Lady Zamar.
I was completely unaware that I didn’t deserve that. I used to feel like it was my fault that it happened to me, so I kept quiet for so long. I know that a question a lot of people ask themselves is, ‘Why did she take forever to open a case after what happened?’
It was really bad, I didn’t think I had the right to.
The NPA’s decision doesn’t change the fact that it happened.”
Lady Zamar, as quoted from the City Press, opening up about her alleged rape ordeal
According to the artist, the NPA’s decision resulted in her being diagnosed with compound PTSD and depression.
“Through a psychologist and psychiatrist, I was able to finally realize that I was never to blame. That is when I really started to heal.
That was in 2020 and in 2021. I was still dealing with the anger and resentment I had.
Last year, when I dropped my first single, I was still testing the waters. This year, I’ve finally healed. I’ve forgiven myself for being ignorant, for not realizing that a lot of people are bad.
I’ve forgiven myself for not being confident in myself. I saw that I could stand up to everybody and the monsters around me.”
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