It will cost more than R360 000 for the ritual murder survivor’s lips to be replaced with reconstructive surgery. Nyelisani Sidimela’s lips were brutally removed for ritual murder purposes and she was discovered lying helplessly next to her deceased lover, Maanda Sendedza, whose private parts and tongue were removed in October.

Two suspects, Mukondeleli Phosha of Tshidzini and Shumani Dzebu of Muledzhi, were arrested and charged with murder and attempted murder following the incident. They cooperated with the police and two more traditional healers, Tshimomo Munyai and Balanganani Munyai, were also arrested for allegedly taking part in the ritual murder of a 40-year-old man at Mafukani, together with Phosha and Dzebu.

However, the good news to Nyelisani Sidimela and members of the local community is that the South African Council of Churches (SACC), SABC Radio (Phalaphala FM, Munghna Lonene and Thobela FM), NAFCOC, the Office of the Premier and the Makonde community, launched a trust fund for Nyelisani’s reconstructive surgery at Polokwane last week.

Nyelisani is receiving treatment at a Gauteng hospital where her condition is improving, although there is a need to conduct the expensive reconstructive surgery to restore her lips.

The Sidimela family spokesperson, David Sidimela, said the family is very grateful after learning that community members are sympathizing with them. He said he is impressed by the overwhelming support the family is receiving since they were struck by the misfortune in October.

Makonde villagers have already started contributing R20 per household and R10 for employed and unemployed respectively, towards Nyelisani’s trust fund. The details of the trust fund are as follows: Account Name: South African Council of Churches (SACC) Emergency Relief Trust, Nedbank, Account No: 1979410526, Branch Code: 190805.

More information about the fund can be obtanined from Alunamutwe Rannditsheni (coordinator) at 082 558 3675, Mautjie Pataki (Limpopo SACC Secretary) at 082 852 6282 or Victor Ravhuanzwo (SABC Radio) at 082 413 1101.