Five years after his genitals were sliced off by a body-parts seller, a Limpopo boy is looking forward to receiving an artificial penis.

The penis and testicles of the 13-year-old Fortune Khumalo of Jilongo village near Malamulele were sliced off during an attack in 2007, when he was eight years old. The attack took place while he was playing in the bushes next to his home.

Fortune was attacked by a self-confessed body-parts seller, Lucky Simango (23), who also lived at Jilongo and is now serving a 15-year term in jail. 

Fortune’s father, Mr Thomas Khumalo, said the doctor at George Mukhari Hospital indicated that the treatment was going very well and that he would receive an artificial penis while he reached 15 years in 2014.

The unemployed Mr Khumalo said their concern was Fortune’s medical expenses. He said all the initial expenses were paid after a fund was set up for the boy. As the fund is now exhausted, they are afraid that they will not be able to afford the treatment.

Fortune's mother, Ms Nancy Siweya, said her son was now starting to cope with the situation after years of agony. His principal, Mr Ronald Hlungwani, said Khumalo‘s future looked bright, despite what had happened in the past. “It will be good if he can receive an artificial penis, so that he can be like any other growing boy,” added Hlungwani.

Donations for Fortune’s treatment can be deposited into the following account: Fortune Khumalo Family Fund, First National Bank Malamulele Branch, Cheque Account Number: 62151417360.