Malawi man spray-paint attack in South Africa

A court in South Africa on Thursday heard from police how Malawian father of four was beaten senseless last Wednesday, allegedly by two men who forced him to strip naked, soaked him in paint thinners and then sprayed his entire body with white enamel car paint.

Bilaz Asan, who was attacked and painted white sits in a wheelchair at the Northdale hospital. –Photo by Amil Umraw, The Witness
Bilaz Asan, who was attacked and painted white sits in a wheelchair at the Northdale hospital. –Photo by Amil Umraw, The Witness
Spray-paint victim Bilaz Asan. photo by Jonathan Burton, The Witness
Spray-paint victim Bilaz Asan. photo by Jonathan Burton, The Witness

The wounds on Bilaz Asan’s body may be healing, but he says the road to forgiving his attackers is going to be a long one.

Detective Constable Skhumbuso Ngcobo was testifying before Magistrate Ashin Singh Pietermaritzburg Magistrate’s Court how  the Malawian was allegedly beaten with axes and tools, stripped naked and spray-painted with white enamel paint with the use of a compressor.

The two men  – Shadrack Wayne Naidoo, 28, and Avikar Lutchman, 27, are accused of the aggravated assault and attempted murder of the Malawian on 7 January.

Police asked the court to reject their bail bid.

The court adjourned the applications to 29 January to hear evidence on Asan’s state.

Meanwhile, Asan said although he is grateful that the two men have been arrested for the attack, he said he will never forget the torture and humiliation he endured, allegedly at their hands.

Dispute over payment

The 37-year-old panel beater said everything was going smoothly at work until two men walked into his place of employment on Violet Road in Northdale.

“There was a dispute over payment and they beat up the mechanic who was working on their vehicle, and then turned to me,” alleged Asan, speaking from his cramped room in Haniville.

He said he was confused over why the axe-wielding men allegedly began hitting him all over his body.

“I was crying and screaming for help, but no one came to help me,” said Asan.

The beating continued and just when he thought his attackers were done, they allegedly forced him to take his clothes off.

“They poured paint thinners on my body and I felt like I was on fire.

“They then went for the air compressor and sprayed paint all over my body,” he said.

‘I ran for my life’

A neighbour heard the commotion came to assist, but he too was allegedly beaten.

“I tried to run away, I even climbed on the roof, but they came after me and continued to beat me. I thought they were going to kill me,” said Asan.

Another neighbour came to assist and that’s when “I ran for my life”, said Asan.

He bumped into his colleague Sam Abdulsamad, 30, who rushed him to Northdale Hospital, where he was treated for his injuries.

“The nurses tried to remove the paint, but they couldn’t, so they told me to go home.

“When we got home, Sam came and helped me scrape the paint off using his nails. It was painful, but I couldn’t cry because I am a man,” said Asan.

Ridiculed

He said he was glad the paint was finally off because he was tired of being ridiculed by members of his community.

“Neighbours were looking into my window, wanting to see what I looked like; they all felt sorry for me. Even though the paint is gone, my body is still burning from the thinners,” said Asan, who is still nursing his many wounds.

Asked about how he felt about his attackers, Asan said: “It was a near-death experience and I want them to be punished for what they did to me.

“I will never forget that moment for as long as I live,” he said.

Nevertheless, he was grateful to be alive and thanked those who had supported him.

“Thank you to everyone and to the police for making arrests. I am really grateful,” said Asan.

Asan was rushed to Northdale Hospital after the paint hardened on his body and glued his lips together.

He was discharged on 9 January after doctors and nurses managed to remove paint from his nose, around his eyes and other sensitive parts.--Sources: Sapa, The Witness, News24

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johan
johan
9 years ago

Yes I am a msungu and proud.

johan
johan
9 years ago

the truth is that asians committed this crime,no “BOER ‘s “were involved
I am a proud Boer, and in the same time love Malawi from Karonga to Zomba and in between Chikangawa,Limbe,Blantyre Area 47,Kazungu etc etc, do not comment if u dont have facts.
rgds

son
son
9 years ago

I was in rsa for 15yrs but each time I visit mw my bro and sis those who know me always ask to come with me,bt I was advice the bother to com rsa is nt easy country to live in,some of them the wil stop working in mw and work as garden boy in sa,if u adv them dont go to sa the wil ask u why yourself ur ther

chandiona
chandiona
9 years ago

why is kayelekera coming in this story? i think some of these comment are just stupid, sorry my frient for the pain you have gone through thank God thay you ate leaving why don’t you come home and for your information home is best.

concerned citizen
concerned citizen
9 years ago

Bwerani kukayelekera mudzaone. This is what south African boers ill treat malawians. Amalawi vuto ndi loti ndi anthu opusa. They don’t speak out. I tell you life at kayelekera is a prison life.

Nkhwanjee!
Nkhwanjee!
9 years ago

Akulu mkachira mubwerere kaye ku Mudzi, Jonitu yavuta yapa. I think you can also do better Mechanic work at home, there are more cars now. We need your skills in Malawi.
Asiyilenidziko lawolo akuwona ngati iwowo ndi opambana. Mulungu akuona.

faines
faines
9 years ago

Was just praying his name doesn’t sound tumbuka. Tikanamva mitudzu and mnyozo apa. Koma poti ndi mchawa anthu kumva chisoni. All the same feel better soon friend.

kauniuni
kauniuni
9 years ago

I just hate south africa.

Mhesia
9 years ago

The Boers like doing that…white-painting is commonly practiced by the extreme white minority racists on Africans. There was also a small black South Africa girl who was allegedly caught picking/stealing chocolates in a white-owned supermarket, the punishment opted by these Boers was white painting the little girl. The story sparked a lot of debate and fury as many people believed it was an issue of race not mere theft.

Arthur G.M. Mtambo
9 years ago

PEPANI NDITHU, ANTHU ENA ANABADWA NGATI MIMBULU KAPENA MIKANGO, KU JONI ANTHU AKE ANAZOLOWELA ZA SHAKA ZULU NDI UCHIBUNI, MITIMA YOIPA ZEDI.
KU MALAWI NAKO ANTHU OTEREWO ALIKO NDITHU AMAPANGA AZO ZOTEROZO ZAKHALA ZIKUCHITIKA KU MZUZU, KARONGA, RUPHI, MZIMBA, NKHOTA-KOTA, SALIMA, LILONGWE, DOWA, DEDZA,MCHINJI,BALAKA,MULANJE,THYOLO,BLANTYRE, ZOMBA,CHILAZULU,,MANGOCHI, NDI MA BOMA ENA, KOMA OSAIWALANSO ZOMWE ZINACHITIKA KU MONKEY-BAY, PAMENE ANTHU AMBIRI ANACHITIDWA ZIPONGWE ENA PAFUPI KUTAWA MOYO WAO ——————ZACHITSONI IZI, MOYO OIPA ZEDI, A MALAWI TISATENGERE ZA MAIKO ENA, TIYENI TIKHALA A MALAWI OKONDANA.

GOD BE WITH US ALL AND BLESS.

0881239916
9 years ago

Chahaya icho katchili

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