What started as a regular visit turned into a life-altering nightmare for 27-year-old Mmapeu Neo Hlanga from Zebediela, Limpopo, who was allegedly doused with acid by her ex-boyfriend’s former partner in a fit of jealousy. The brutal attack has left her permanently disfigured and emotionally shattered.
Hlanga’s ordeal began in 2021 when she had to drop out of Capricorn TVET College due to financial difficulties, as the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) failed to fund her plumbing studies. Desperate to make ends meet, she secured a job as a general worker at a fruit farm in Mokopane in 2022. There, she met and fell in love with a man from her area. But what seemed like a fresh start quickly spiraled into a nightmare.
Unbeknownst to Hlanga, the man she was dating had recently ended a relationship with Ivyone Maja, a fellow farmworker and the mother of his child. Tensions rose when Maja allegedly became jealous and began spreading malicious rumours about Hlanga, accusing her of engaging in inappropriate behaviour at work. These accusations eventually led to Hlanga’s dismissal in August 2024 after a confrontation with the farm manager.
“I was given a choice between staying with a final warning or leaving. I chose to leave because I knew they would never take my side,” Hlanga recalled.
After returning home, she maintained a romantic relationship with the man. One weekend in October 2024, while visiting him, things took a horrifying turn. According to Hlanga, Maja unexpectedly showed up at the boyfriend’s house under the guise of wanting to make peace.
“She was carrying a handbag and said she wouldn’t fight with bare hands,” Hlanga said. “She asked for a drink but refused what was offered, claiming she had her own.”
“I screamed in pain. He tried to pour water on me, but it didn’t help. I was rushed to Zebediela Hospital, and later transferred to Mankweng Hospital,” she said. “My chest, thighs, hands, and face were severely burned. My clothes were destroyed by the acid.”
Doctors treated her for nearly seven months. Hlanga now bears permanent scars and has partial vision loss. Her four-year-old daughter, who is not the child of the man involved, is afraid of her appearance.
“My child doesn’t recognize me. I don’t recognize myself. I keep asking God what I did to deserve this,” she said tearfully.
The Limpopo police confirmed the arrest of Ivyone Maja, 25, who was taken into custody on February 14, 2025, and granted R3,000 bail. Her case was moved to the Mokopane Regional Court and is set to continue on July 21.
Hlanga has since ended the relationship and taken to social media to share her story and appeal for help.
“I’m asking for donations to help with plastic surgery. I’ve accepted myself, but I want to fix my face. The surgery costs between R150,000 and R200,000,” she said.
Her fight for justice continues: “I won’t rest until she is sentenced to life. She scarred me forever.”
