The Tsomo Magistrate’s Court has sentenced Siyasanga Sifumba (30), a traditional nurse, to two years of direct imprisonment for assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm (GBH). The court also declared him unfit to possess a firearm.
The charges stem from an incident in which Sifumba, hired by parents to care for an initiate in the Gqogqorha Administrative Area, Sixhotyeni, subjected the young man to severe physical abuse. Instead of providing proper care, Sifumba repeatedly assaulted the initiate, beating him with a wooden stick, kicking him with boots, and striking him with both open hands and closed fists.
The abuse reached a critical point on 5 December 2024, when the initiate was left unable to stand the following morning due to his injuries. He was rushed to Cofimvaba Hospital and later transferred to Frere Hospital in East London for further treatment due to the severity of his condition.
Following an investigation, Tsomo police arrested Sifumba on 17 December 2024. He appeared multiple times in the Tsomo Magistrate’s Court for bail applications, but his request was denied on 23 January 2025. Remanded in custody throughout his trial, Sifumba remained detained until his sentencing on 30 June 2025.
