SIPHUMO Tyelinzima, 16, who dropped out of school in Grade 4, was allegedly starved and tortured to death while at initiation school in Mkhanzini village, near Port St Johns..
His traditional nurse has since been arrested in connection with the tragedy.
Siphumo’s uncle, Fanele Ndlela, said they had been looking forward to their nephew coming back from the school.
“Every parent looks forward to their children graduating and re turning home,” he said, adding that they were devastated when they learnt he had died as a result of being assaulted.
“My poor nephew was murdered. He was tortured and starved for days,” he said.
Siphumo’s 25-year-old cousin had offered to act as his traditional nurse and look after him while he underwent initiation.
“A trusted family member has been arrested for the death of my nephew. We didn’t expect this to be carried out by a family member,” he said.
Ndlela said the post-mortem done by the Mthatha Forensic Pathology Unit revealed Siphu mo’s penis had been amputated, his broken body was full of sjam bok and stick marks, a leg had been broken and his eye injured.
No one can tell him whether the amputation was carried out in hospital or while his nephew son was at initiation school.
“There was a stage where Siphumo ran away from the initiation school fearing his traditional nurse. He was found hiding in the forest the following day and taken back to the hut.
“He again escaped but apparently collapsed shortly thereafter and was found by his elder brother. But again his traditional surgeon took him back to the initiation school,” said Ndlela.
On leaving the initiation school Simphumo was taken to Mthatha General Hospital, where he died.
According to Ndlela, the ar rested suspect was released by police on R700 bail and was ex pected back in court on August 27. — lulamilef@dispatch.co.za
Introducing Siphumo Tyelinzima
His traditional nurse has since been arrested in connection with the tragedy.
Siphumo’s uncle, Fanele Ndlela, said they had been looking forward to their nephew coming back from the school.
“Every parent looks forward to their children graduating and re turning home,” he said, adding that they were devastated when they learnt he had died as a result of being assaulted.
“My poor nephew was murdered. He was tortured and starved for days,” he said.
Siphumo’s 25-year-old cousin had offered to act as his traditional nurse and look after him while he underwent initiation.
“A trusted family member has been arrested for the death of my nephew. We didn’t expect this to be carried out by a family member,” he said.
Ndlela said the post-mortem done by the Mthatha Forensic Pathology Unit revealed Siphu mo’s penis had been amputated, his broken body was full of sjam bok and stick marks, a leg had been broken and his eye injured.
No one can tell him whether the amputation was carried out in hospital or while his nephew son was at initiation school.
“There was a stage where Siphumo ran away from the initiation school fearing his traditional nurse. He was found hiding in the forest the following day and taken back to the hut.
“He again escaped but apparently collapsed shortly thereafter and was found by his elder brother. But again his traditional surgeon took him back to the initiation school,” said Ndlela.
On leaving the initiation school Simphumo was taken to Mthatha General Hospital, where he died.
According to Ndlela, the ar rested suspect was released by police on R700 bail and was ex pected back in court on August 27. — lulamilef@dispatch.co.za
Would you like to comment on this article?
Register (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Trending Now
Latest Videos