A Tongaat woman was sentenced to 10 years in prison for attempted murder in the Verulam Regional Court last week after a brutal acid attack in April 2022.

Lethiwe Mthimkhulu (32) attacked her boyfriend, Phakamani Sibiya (34), after discovering that he was cheating on her with the mother of his children.

Mthimkhulu was found guilty of feeding Sibiya acid under the guise of it being “holy water” for colon cleansing. When Sibiya began experiencing severe stomach pains and asked her to take him to a clinic, Mthimkhulu took his phone under the pretence of arranging transport with an unidentified accomplice. This proved to be a delaying tactic with no intention of getting Sibiya medical attention.

According to a court report they drove past the clinic several times before returning to Sibiya’s home. There he was assaulted and Mthimkhulu tried to force Sibiya to drink more acid. A struggle ensued during which acid was spilled onto Sibiya’s face.

Mthimkhulu then locked Sibiya in the house and fled. Sibiya, who lost his left ear and is now partially deaf and reliant on a colostomy bag, was rescued by a friend who took him to a clinic. Mthimkhulu was arrested two days later.

The father of two who shares no children with the accused, said the incident has left him unable to fulfill his responsibilities as a parent. Sibiya now faces challenges, both emotionally and financially. To repair the damage to his appearance, he requires surgery costing R800 000, a sum he cannot afford.

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