Sheffield roti vendor Lance Chinasamy is recovering from a violent assault that left him seriously injured near his Umhlali home last month.

Lance, who began selling rotis after losing his job during Covid, runs Yaya’s Rotis with his wife, Tanya. He trades near Tiffany’s Centre, where the business has built a loyal local following.

On May 22, after finishing a day’s trading, Lance stopped at a nearby spaza shop in an informal settlement to buy groceries. What should have been a routine errand turned into a life-threatening ordeal when he was allegedly attacked by several armed men.

The father of teenage twins was beaten and stabbed twice in the head. He suffered a torn lip, missing and loosened teeth, and wounds to his arms and hands while trying to fend off his attackers. When his children attempted to intervene, his 17-year-old daughter was also assaulted, injuring her arm.

“I thought I was going to die,” said Lance.

He waited more than three hours for an ambulance before being transported to Stanger Hospital, where he was discharged shortly after 4am the next morning.

Now recovering at home, Lance faces extensive dental treatment and is currently limited to drinking soup through a straw.

“Even if I don’t sell any rotis, and a person is having a horrible day, if I smile and wave to them, it changes their whole mood. It makes them happy. I don’t want to lose my smile,” he said.

“I don’t know whether to wear a mask or smile normally because I don’t know if people will get scared.”
Despite the trauma, the family has been overwhelmed by community support, with residents donating groceries and clothing.

The situation is compounded by Tanya’s ongoing battle with breast cancer, which often leaves her bedridden. The family has asked that people call instead of visiting.

“I’m grateful to the community for their love and support. They have done a lot for me,” said Lance.
“There are others who need help more than us. I’m healing and I’ll be back soon.”

Contact Lance on 079 738 9674 or donate via BackaBuddy here.