The Deputy Speaker of the Limpopo Legislature, Catherine Mabuza, visited the family of the Makonde ritual murder survivor, Nyelisani Sidimela (19), on Wednesday last week.

Although Nyelisani is recovering at a secret place for her own safety, Mabuza met the family members and gave them courage to go on with life, despite the unfortunate incident.

Nyelisani’s lips were cut off in a ritual murder attempt at Makonde-Shadani on 23 October last year. Her dead boyfriend, Maanda Sendedza’s private parts were sliced off. Nyelisani was released from the George Mukhari Hospital where she received treatment for nine months. She underwent eight operations and medical experts say it will take years before she can live a normal life again. She still needs to undergo more surgeries to reconstruct her lips. Her complete medical treatment will require R360 000 but so far, approximately R110 000 has been raised.

Mabuza told the Sidimela family that she shares the pain with them after their loved one fell victim of a ritual killing attempt. She said she knows what the family is going through and they need to be given moral support to enjoy life like all community members.

“I know your hearts are broken and this is the time when you need our support as government. Nyelisani is a human being like everyone else and she did not deserve to be a victim of cruel ritual murderers. However, I wish her a speedy recovery wherever she is and I am confident that the law will take its course.”

Nyelisani’s mother, Gavhaza Sidimela, said she now has the courage to go on with life after the Deputy Speaker’s visit.

“Although my daughter has not yet fully recovered, I am happy because I know there are people who care out there. The visit is quite a blessing to me because it shows that I am not crying alone. Although we are still hurt by the cruel incident, we can at least look forward to the future because we know that the government is on our side,” said Gavhaza.