Just when there was light at the end of a dark tunnel, Sashni Daniel’s father said his daughter may soon have to return to the operating table.

Sashni (27) was hit by a brick while travelling along the R102 on February 25, the night of a violent service delivery protest in the Shaka’s Head township.

She suffered a fractured skull, severe swelling of the brain and three blood clots.

In the more than two months that she has been in the hospital, the Ballito jewellery consultant had been slipping in and out of comas, having had three operations to release the swelling.

Her disabled father, Kovi Daniel, said just when Sashni showed signs of improvement, doctors found an abscess in her brain last week.

“She is being treated and we are hoping that it will melt away. If it does not, doctors will have to operate by next week.”

Kovi said Sashni had been moved out of intensive care into the general ward more than a month ago.

Although she is awake and responsive, she has lost feeling on the left side of her body and is currently undergoing physiotherapy.

“She is eating soup and breathing on her own. She recently started whispering a few words.

“Doctors say that her memory is at about 70 percent but we do not know the full extent of the damage yet.”

The protest that caused Sashni’s condition came after the KwaDukuza Municipality (KDM) cut overtime pay, preventing electricians from working after hours.

This left a number of areas, including Shaka’s Head, in the dark for over 11 hours.

A total of 11 cars were stoned with four motorists, including Sashni, suffering injuries. Umhlali SAPS captain Vinny Pillay confirmed that no arrests had been made.

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