'Where's the trust money?', muthi survivor asks
AFTER Nyelisani Sidimela of Makonde village outside Thohoyandou in Venda was brutally attacked by muthi merchants in 2005, she was hospitalised for three years
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While in hospital, she was relieved to know that a trust fund had been started in her name. And that, when she was released, her pain would be made less because the generosity of South Africans would see to it that she was well looked after. But since her discharge from hospital in 2008, she says life has been harsh on her.
"Each time I must go for a check-up at George Mkhari Hospital in Pretoria, it's a big struggle. I must also go to the nearest clinic," she says.
She says she appreciates that she has been put on social grant, but it is not enough to see her through.
"Meanwhile, I have seen in newspapers and on TV that the trust account had attracted a lot of money."
She says since her discharge, she has never seen a cent from the fund.
Her ordeal started when she and her companion, Maanda Sendedza, were sitting in the bush next to Shadani village in Makonde.
Three men went past them, but within minutes they had pounced on them.
Sendedza, who had his private parts and tongue removed, later died. Sidimela, who had her lips cut off, miraculously survived
Two suspects, Mukondeleli Phosha of Tshidzini and Shumani Dzebu of Muledzhi, were arrested and charged with murder and attempted murder.
They cooperated with the police and two traditional healers, Tshimomo Munyai and Balanganani Munyai, were also arrested.
The four were also implicated in another ritual murder of a 40-year-old man at Mafukani. They were all given life sentences.
While the community and the Sidimela family were still reeling from shock, the SA Council of Churches (SACC), SABC radio stations (Phalaphala FM, Munghana Lonene and Thobela FM), Nafcoc, the Office of the Premier and the Makonde community launched a trust fund for her reconstructive surgery .
Community members contributed R20 per household to the trust fund.
Dean Alunamutwe Rannditsheni, who was the co-ordinator of the trust fund, said the money was deposited into the account of the SACC.
"I think the money is still there . it's just that I have not been involved in the trust for a long time," he said, referring further enquiries to SACC secretary Mautji Pataki.
Pataki said the money was "still there" but that there had been some problems within the family.
"Maybe this is a wake-up call. We must go back to the family and solve this issue."
Bolander
In hospital for 3 YEARS? Is this possible - and she was released in 2008 and have not seen a cent of this fund? How is this possible? Poor pretty girl, how hard life must be for you being so scarred and going through such a horrendous thing. I hope you get that money soon and hopefully it is enough for some plastic surgery so you can be as pretty as you used to be and enjoy a life that you so deserve. Stay strong girl x0Report Abuse
nicki
shame gal,you went through a lot,you dont deserve being robbed of your money nowReport Abuse
mafungwashe
lets just hope when she shows interest in knowing what happened to the trust fund,people involved will be honest give that money to the person it was meant to help.Sometimes living in poverty can complicate matters,communication challenges,travelling to offices,when the time passes the intense feelings of sympathy decrease and that can make the victim think people are less caring,just motivate them sisi by contacting all the links to your fund,no intentional robbing i believe.Report Abuse
candilious
Sad really i do hope you get your monies. As you did not ask for it,people donated it to you and its writefully yours.Hope you a speedy recovery
@bolander- Strange hey after 3yrs on her release their should have given her debit card from the word go stating your money is there at your disposal.2008/2011 NOT A CENT , corruption,corruption,corruption............
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suzanna
sometymes its beta osule, really o tshela jang ka molomo ontseng jaana... nxaaaaReport Abuse
TKay
What problems are they talking about in the family, are those problems making them not to release the money? aagg these people spent the money for their personal gain. My advice to her is that while she is finding out about the trust fund she must not let her life stop - she must go to school if she didnt and stop feeling sorry for herself.Report Abuse