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Nyelisani Sidimela at her hospital bed at George Mukhari Hospital. She has been kept at a secret place for her own safety.

Muti murder survivor "going home"

 
The only ritual murder survivor in the history of Limpopo (if not in South Africa), Nyelisani Sidimela (18), was discharged from George Mukhari Hospital on Monday. She spent eight months in hospital where doctors were trying to reconstruct her lips that were sliced off during a ritual murder attempt on 23 October last year at Makonde village. Her boyfriend, Maanda Sendedza, was murdered during the incident. His private parts and tongue were cut off.

Nyelisani is being kept in a secret place for her own safety. Medical experts say it will take years before she fully recovers and leads a normal life. She has so far undergone eight operations and it is expected that she will undergo more in the near future. A sum of R360 000 is needed to conduct plastic surgery to replace her lips. Approximately R140 000 has been raised so far.

In a TV programme (Third degree on Tuesday evening) that shocked millions of viewers across the country, Nyelisani explained how she and her boyfriend were attacked last year. “I know my attackers and I even recognized another one who stays at Makonde village. He stays on the southern side of my father-in-law’s house. I want my attackers to be arrested and punished for what they did to me. It is painful when your body parts are removed while you are still alive,” she said while trying to hold back her tears during the TV programme.

Nyelisani’s mother, Gavhaza, said: “I was expecting a lot from my daughter but these cruel people crushed her dreams. I believe the incident has highly disturbed her and it will affect her for the rest of her life. How can they do this to my beloved daughter?”

Maanda Sendedza’s mother, Joyce, says she wants the people who murdered her son to be punished. “My son was a great soccer player and the future looked bright for him. I was shocked when he did not return home the day of the in-cident. The murderers must be punished and feel the pain that I am presently encountering. It is very painful to loose a loved one due to cruel people who think they can become wealthy by using human flesh.”

* Two traditional healers and a bishop of the Holiness Apostolic Church were charged with murder, attempted murder, robbery and conspiracy to murder following the incident. Mukondeleli Phosha, Shumani Dzebu and Bishop Joseph Ramafamba’s case will be heard in the Thohoyandou High Court from September 4 to 15. Dzebu and Phosha are still in custody while Bishop Ramafamba is out on R5 000 bail.

* Last week, the Sidimela family, led by David Sidimela, forwarded a complaint to Vhembe Area Commissioner, Joseph Maepa. The family says they are not satisfied with the way in which the state is handling the case.

Amongst other things, they demanded that other suspects who were implicated in the Nyelisani – Maanda case be arrested with immediate effect. They also demanded that the investigating officer be discharged of his duties because he is incompetent. They also prayed for Nyelisani’s safety after her being discharged from the hospital.

In response to the letter, S/Supt Shiyani Mashaba, the coordinator for the task team to look at the unresolved ritual murder cases in Vhembe, said the area commissioner’s office has arranged a meeting with the family to discuss their grievances. He gave the assurance that Nyelisani will be placed in the witness protection programme for her own safety.

News - Date: 09 June 2006

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Wilson Dzebu

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