The family of a woman who was doused with petrol and set alight by her ex-boyfriend says they will never get answers after her attacker died in custody. Lindiwe Zitha is fighting for her life after her ex Eric Marakalala allegedly attacked her last week Wednesday at her home in Mamelodi in Tshwane. Zitha (51), who is the younger sister of legendary former Banyana Banyana captain Khabo Zitha was taking stuff from her car during load shedding when her ex jumped a wall and demanded sex. When she refused, the jealous ex allegedly attacked and burnt her. He also sustained burn injuries in the process.
HER CONDITION HAS NOT CHANGED
Speaking to ZiMoja, Khabo says her younger sister's condition has not changed. She said she is still in ICU fighting for her life. Khabo says it breaks her heart to see her sister in a helpless condition. "My sister is my everything and seeing her in that hospital bed not able to talk breaks my heart,"
THE EASY WAY OUT
Khabo says she feels that Marakalala (55)'s death was the easy way out for him. "I wanted to look him in the eye and ask him why he did that to my sister because she did not deserve to be tortured like that," she said. Khabo says she is angry and has so many questions that only Marakalala can answer. "I feel like am losing my mind, I can't cope at work," she said. Khabo says she is considering counseling because she has become an angry and bitter person. Khabo who works in prison says she is worried her anger will affect her work or cloud her judgment. "I am usually a peaceful person but now am snappy and angry, I don't want other people to suffer because of my anger or even find myself in a situation where I will regret later on," she adds
SHE HAD A PROTECTION ORDER
Lindiwe had a protection order against Marakalala before the incident last week Wednesday. That did not stop the ex who was also a married man from almost killing her. Marakalala appeared at the Mamelodi Magistrate's Court on Tuesday, facing a charge of attempted murder. The case was postponed to 12 June for possible bail application before he died in police custody on Wednesday. Khabo says months prior to the attack, Marakalala has allegedly been terrorising Lindiwe and their grandmother. She told the ZiMoja that her grandmother still has nightmares from Marakalala's terror. Police spokesperson Colonel Mavela Masondo confirmed that the police are investigating Marakalala's death in police custody.
