Former Banyana Banyana captain Khabo Zitha’s sister has been burnt beyond recognition by her boyfriend. The incident reportedly occurred during a load-shedding bout over the weekend.
The woman, Lindiwe, who was doused with petrol and then set alight – is currently on life support at a Gauteng hospital, reports TshisaLive.
Speaking to the publication, Kgabo Zitha revealed how her sister’s boyfriend attacked her during load shedding at her home in Mamelodi.
She said: “He took advantage of that because there was less movement on the street, and it was dark. He stormed into the house and started hitting her, then put her head and face in a bucket filled with petrol which he poured all over her body, before setting her alight”.
Lindiwe was rescued by a neighbour who rushed her to the hospital.
She added: “There is no part of her body that is not burnt. She has not woken up since she was admitted on Saturday. She’s in a coma. She’s had countless operations for skin grafting and eye restoration. Every day the hospital calls to inform us about a procedure they have to make. It’s really bad.
“Her eyes are burnt from the inside. Her condition is bad and has left us distraught”.
Prayers needed for former Banyana Banyana star, Lindiwe Zitha, who was burnt by her boyfriend.
Zitha is in hospital on life support after she was burnt head to toe by her boyfriend Eric Marakalala who poured petrol on her
Zitha’s brother was also burnt trying to save her pic.twitter.com/4eUWjoLdKn
— Xoli Zondo (MBA) (@XoliswaZondo) June 6, 2023
According to Gauteng police spokesperson Col Mavela Masondo, the man – Eric Marakalala – was arrested for attempted murder and made his first court appearance on Monday, 5 June.
Who is Khabo Zitha?
Here are five facts about the Banyana Banyana player:
- Khabo played professional soccer between 1994 – 2006, including on the national team and for the Mamelodi Sundowns women’s league.
- She is a qualified physical trainer
- She was once struck by lightning, forcing her to miss the 2000 Women’s Afcon Championship.
- Khabo now works as a prison warder at the Zonderwater Prison.
- She heads up the Gauteng and national Department of Correctional Services football teams.
In other news – Interesting things to know about Thembinkosi Lorch’s ex-girlfriend, Nokuphiwa Mathithibala
South African soccer star who plays for Orlando Pirates and Bafana Bafana, Thembinkosi Lorch made headlines on Tuesday, 6 June, when he was found guilty of assaulting his ex-girlfriend Nokuphiwa Mathithibala.
The former couple made headlines in September 2020 when Sunday World reported that Lorch was arrested for physically assaulting Mathithibala. Lorch – who currently shares a one-year-old baby with actress Natasha Thahane – was arrested on 7 September 2020 and granted immediate bail in the amount of R2 000. Learn More