Warning: The images at the end of this story may be disturbing to sensitive readers
Duduza – A father is fighting for justice after his 20-year-old son survived an attack that left him with severe burns and emotional trauma.
Musa Nyembe is calling for accountability after his son, Lunga Nkambule, was allegedly tortured and burnt with boiling water by eight men in the early hours of January 25 in the Mqashi (Kuvuki) section.
Nkambule supposedly endured four hours of terror after a fight that began over a borrowed cellphone.
According to Nkambule, a week earlier, on January 18, he borrowed a man’s phone to place an online bet and, in desperation, handed it to a loan shark in exchange for money.
“I borrowed his phone so I could bet online, and after I lost, I got tempted to try my luck again. I gave his phone to a loan shark in exchange for money so I could buy more betting vouchers and use someone else’s phone to bet again.
“I saw him again on January 25 at the same outlet. And as expected, he questioned me about his phone. I apologised and reassured him that I would get him his phone.
“During our encounter, we were walking towards his house and had already reached an agreement,” explained Nkambule.
He alleged that on arrival at the man’s residence, they found his girlfriend and sat together, not knowing a dispute would turn into a violent act.
“While sitting, seven other men arrived. One of them asked me where his friend’s phone was. I explained what had happened while mentioning that the man and I had reached an agreement. I was threatened, tortured and beaten several times until they decided to tie my body with rope,” Nkambule cited.
He said, at that point, he was close to blacking out, felt dizzy and was short of breath.
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“I heard the man suggest to his girlfriend that she boil the kettle so they could burn me from head to toe. At that point, I could not move. I pleaded for forgiveness, but no one heard my cry; instead, they filled a 20l bucket with hot water.
“They poured about eight kettles of hot water on me. I was in a lot of pain.
“At some point, they wanted to remove my fingers but could not find an object sharp enough to do so,” he said.
Nkambule said the incident happened from 01:00 to 05:00 on January 25. He claimed two men, unknown to him, negotiated for his release and saved him.
“I heard these men tell the eight men to release me. They did not want to, but were eventually convinced to let me go. The two men untied me, and I ran to the nearest relative’s home. I was taken to the hospital and hospitalised for a while.
“I opened a case with the police while in the hospital. I was severely burnt. I assume they intended to kill me,” said Nkambule.
He highlighted how the incident affected his confidence and perspective on life, and the trauma he had to overcome daily.
The incident reportedly affected his ability to walk due to contracture (hardening of muscles leading to deformity and rigidity of joints). He also sustained burns on his arms.
Nkambule underwent skin graft surgery, transplanting healthy skin from one part of the body to another to cover damaged or missing skin.
“Knowing I will never be able to walk without crutches kills me more than anything because I could walk like everyone else. It pains me.
“All I want for myself is justice. I am surprised I have never been called to court, yet I see these men on the road walking freely,” he mentioned.
His father, Nyembe, said his son lives in fear because these men still threaten to kill him.
“Transport costs to the hospital are a huge disadvantage because we are struggling. We are pleading for the community to help us wherever they can.
“Lunga was wrong for not giving back that man’s phone, but it was not right of them to drastically change his life in this manner. As his father, it is painful to see my son suffer like this. We cannot even make ends meet, and we need food.
“We hope justice will prevail,” he added.
According to the family, the suspects were arrested and granted bail.
At the time of publication, the police had not responded to The African Reporter’s enquiry.
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