The community and the family of Fortune Khumalo, who suffered irreparable bodily damage at the hands of a ruthless convicted human parts merchant, when his genitals were cut off, feel let down by the courts. This was after the Malamulele regional court on Friday imposed a 15-year jail sentence on Lucky Simango, his attacker.

Mr Thomas Khumalo, the boy’s father, was at a loss of words to express his dissatisfaction about the 15-year punishment meted to his son’s attacker. "I do not even know what to say. I am very low as I expected a harsh punishment for my son’s attacker; 15 years is too little for all the damage he has caused to my son. My son will never be the same. Nothing can bring back my son’s health, and the 15 years he got are just like two days as we will be seeing him on the streets soon, "said the visibly concerned father.

The principal of Shigombe Primary, where Fortune attends school, Mr Risimati Hlungwani, also reacted with anger. "We have waited all this time, hoping that the suspect will get what he deserves. We expected a very long sentence, but we are very disappointed," he said. He added that the sentence will set a wrong precedent, as others will commit crime and know that they will not go to jail." He said justice has not been seen to be done as the suspect will only serve a short period and be released.

Simango (24) was on Friday last week convicted in the Malamulele Regional court of attempted murder after slicing off Fortune´s private parts. Before sentencing Simango, Magistrate Marianne Viljoen concurred with the prosecutor that the crime was serious and that a life sentence was the appropriate sentence, but was compelled by law not to impose a sentence of more than 15 years. In sentencing him, she also put stringent conditions to the sentence: he was not allowed to possess a firearm and was not to be allowed parole before serving 10 years of his sentence.

The Fortune Khumalo Family Trust Fund is still open and those wishing to make contributions are still welcome to do so. The account number is 62151417360 at FNB Malamulele.