NOLUVO MGIJIMA 

A MATATIELE woman who was once able to do things on her own now has to rely on others. She depends on other people to cook, eat and bathe.

She even lost her job which involved preparing meals at a local school under the South African National School Nutrition Programme. The 42-year-old Thulisile Khauleza of the rural village of Sijoka has appealed for help after she survived a brutal attack on her family on May 9.

On that evening, two suspects broke the door open while the family was enjoying their supper.

The suspects attacked seven family members with spears and a bush knife. They killed Nontokozo Khauleza (35), a cousin-sister to Thulisile. Other relatives survived. They were Thulisile’s husband, two elderly people and two children.

Thulisile described the attack as the most horrible in her life. She said attackers attempted to cut her thighs and head. To save her head from being affected she said she used her right arm to block a bush knife. Unfortunately, her right forearm was cut off.

“My nine-year-old son is still undergoing hospital checkups after his hand was injured. Other survivors were treated in hospital,” Thulisile explained. Two suspects were arrested.

Despite living in fear for her life, Thulisile said her life has been ruined. She said she is no longer the same person she used to be.

“Losing a part of my body made things worse. I can’t do anything for myself. I now depend on my husband,” she said while asking for assistance to get a prosthetic arm.

She said the arm will enable her to not solely depend on other people but to do things on her own.