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Sukulwenkosi Dube-Matutu, Matabeleland South Bureau Chief
THE family of a 15-year-old Gwanda teenager who was assaulted to death by her 31-year-old lover who had turned her into a wife have said no compensation can make up for the loss of their daughter.
The family has demanded only two beasts from the man’s family for a traditional cleansing ceremony.
Silindokuhle Sibanda who was killed by Thandazani Ncube from Singukwe Village was buried on
Thursday at her parents’ homestead in the same village.
Silindokuhle was severely assaulted by her abusive “husband” on Saturday last week after being accused of infidelity when he saw her talking to another man. After assaulting her, Ncube ferried Silindokuhle in a wheelbarrow to their bedroom. She was confirmed dead a few hours later as a result of the assault.
Ncube was arrested and his case is before the courts. Silindokuhle had lived in an abusive union with Ncube for nine months as the man would constantly beat her up over petty issues.
She was also sexually abused at the age of nine years by her uncle.
Silindokuhle’s father, Mr Joel Sibanda said his family sent a representative to the Ncube family requesting two beasts. He said they wanted to hold a cleansing ceremony to rid their family of bad spirits.
“We sat down as a family and agreed to request two beasts from the Ncube family. We have sent a representative to deliver our request and we are awaiting a response. Our hope is that the Ncube family will appreciate the importance of this ceremony. We want to cleanse the family so that we may get rid of evil spirits, he said.
Mr Sibanda said burying his daughter at such a tender age is one of the most difficult situations that he had to go through. He said it was never easy for a parent to bury a child, especially under such circumstances.
Silindokuhle’s aunt, Ms Rebecca Sibanda said her niece was the last born child in her family and they had hoped that she would make something meaningful with her life. She said regardless of the sexual abuse which Silindokuhle had gone through while growing up, her family was eager to see her move past that.
“We talked as a family early this year and agreed that Silindokuhle had to go back to school. She was the last born in her family and we all wanted her to do well in life and build a future for herself. The most difficult part of all of this experience was burying my niece,” she said. — @DubeMatutu
Online Reporter