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MBABANE – A 38-year-old man is desperate for financial assistance towards paying for his spinal cord surgery, after being bed-ridden for over 12 months.
Sibusiso Mweli of Hilltop in Mbabane is seeking assistance after suffering from a spinal cord ailment which might eventually lead to paralysis. He is currently unemployed after losing his construction job due to his inability to carry out his duties and due to this, he cannot provide for his 15-year-old daughter, Sibahle, who is currently idle at home due to unpaid fees.
Mweli’s plight started on December 28, 2020, which he detailed as the exact date when he started experiencing excruciating back pain.
“I was in Mahlanya when I suddenly fell after a sharp back pain, which made me unconscious, struck me while I was walking. I was assisted by two men who were waiting nearby, one of them was a spaza owner, who
Sibusiso Mweli. offered me a glass of water,” he said.
According to a doctor’s report, Mweli’s spinal cord disc bulge is seen causing mild bilateral neuroforaminal narrowing, and the diffuse disc bulge with bilateral ligamentum flavum hypertrophy causing severe right and mild to moderate left neuroforaminal
narrowing.
During an interview, Mweli disclosed that he was working as a construction storeman and also guarded a construction site under a company whose name he did not wish to reveal.
When questioned whether he had sought assistance from the Phalala Fund, he said he had, however, he was informed that there were no specialists for the surgery he required.
When the Phalala Fund head offices in Mbabane were contacted to ascertain some of Mweli’s medical information, this reporter was informed that the confidentiality clause did not permit that and that the donor of the funds for this surgery would be engaged by the local doctor dealing with Mweli’s case, who would further refer them to the South African specialist.
He said the illness had resulted in him losing major weight and being severely distressed from not being able to provide for his child. Mweli is desperate for help since his daughter is currently idle at home and not attending school due to his inability to work and pay her school fees.
“If the public does not have the funds to help me with my surgery, at the very least could I be assisted with the payment of my daughter’s school fees,” he said.
His daughter, Sibahle, was due to proceed to Form II this year, however, due to financial issues, she is currently at home. The total balance due for Sibahle is E4 510 at Mbabane Central High School. The account number to deposit the fees in is 020000025063 at Standard Bank.
When questioned on whether it was possible for the mother of his child to cater for the fees, Mweli disclosed that the mother had abandoned the child and she currently lived with him.
“It breaks my heart that I cannot provide for my daughter, I cannot even ensure that she works towards securing a bright future due to my spinal cord ailment. I appeal to the public to find it in their hearts to assist me as God will surely bless them,” said Mweli.
To assist Mweli in either funding his surgery or paying for his daughter’s fees, the public is urged to contact the following phone numbers; 7658 5350/7608 4469.