Asanda Mbuyazi Laid to Rest in uMfolozi

The devastated family of Asanda Mbuyazi a young mother with albinism laid her to rest on Friday, 2 June 2017 at Ndlabeyilandula, Ward 4 in uMfolozi Municipality. The body of  Mbuyazi was found stripped naked in the bushes near her home stabbed 20 times by her boyfriend.

Overcome with grief family spokesperson Ms Lindiwe Mashinini thanked the uMfolozi Municipality for helping the family with the funeral arrangements. Ms Mashinini said the family is struggling financially and did not know how they will bury Mbuyazi. “These are trying times and we thank the municipality for handling the funeral costs for us, we still cannot believe that she was stabbed 20 times by a person who claimed to love Asanda, the man is animal,” said Mashinini. She added that they hope the perpetrator would face the full might of the law.

uMfolozi Mayor Cllr Smangaliso Mgenge condemned the murder of Mbuyazi and urged the men in our society to start protecting our women and children. “Men must now rise up and start taking the responsibility of making our communities safe by protecting women, children and people with albinism,” said Mayor Mgenge. His worship further thanked the uMfolozi Police for their swift action in arresting the culprit, “We hope the law will take its course and convict the perpetrator accordingly,” said Mayor Mgenge.

Chairperson of Albinism Society of South Africa in KwaZulu Natal Mr Maxwell Thabethe, condemned the killing of people living with Albinism. “We are human and we urge people to stop hunting us like animals,” said Mr Thabethe. He also urged government to strengthen campaigns educating communities against the myths associated with the albinism community. “We are citizens of this country and we urge people to treat us as equals and not hunt us for profit based on lies,” concluded Mr Thabethe.

Asande Mbuyazi leaves behind her 5 month old child.