'Bafo' sues hospital for 10-m
Mandla Zulu
HE is committed to his newfound love. But the possibility of a lifetime of impotency hangs over one of South Africa's flamboyant actor's dream of getting married to his lover.
While well-known actor, playwright and editor Selby "Bafo" Mabanga, who played the role of Simanga in the popular television drama Ubambo Lwami and who has vowed to marry his Eastern Cape lover, is suing Ngwelezane hospital in Northern KwaZulu-Natal for robbing him of his sexual strength.
Mabanga, who has written a number of dramas for Ukhozi FM, was involved in a car accident about two months ago and was admitted to Ngwelezane hospital, where he claims female nurses allegedly injected some kind of medication into his private parts which apparently interfered with his sexuality.
His lawyers are due to file papers to the hospital claiming R10 million damages.
Mabanga (35), who has four children from previous relationships, is set to tie the knot with Zoliswa Nonkomela, manager of Khanya community radio station in Butterworth in the Eastern Cape.
The two, who are both Jehovah's Witnesses, met in Durban during one of the church's conventions.
Mabanga is also the editor of the educational newsletter School Talk, which is distributed throughout the country.
"Although I'm planning to get married soon, my problem is that I'm not sure whether my marriage will be successful because of the damage to my genitals.
"So far I have not engaged in any sexual act because of my church's rule of no sex before marriage," said Mabanga.
Mabanga told City Press his protestations to the nurses not to touch his private parts, which had not been injured, fell on deaf ears.
He said he was suing the hospital for the pain he suffered because of the "unnecessary injection".
Mabanga sustained serious body injuries during the accident which were so bad he was unable to talk.
"While I was trying to tell the nurses, in writing, not to touch my private parts, an African female doctor said I thought I was too prominent.
"While I was suffering from pains, she instructed the nurses to strip me naked in front of female patients and ordered them to administer the injection," said Mabanga.
Ngwelezane hospital spokesperson Can Wanguhu denied Mabanga was given an injection, saying he was catheterised in his private parts to drain blood from his bladder.
He said he was aware Mabanga was taking legal action against the hospital but that the hospital had not received any notification to that effect.
"It is unfortunate he felt some pain during the process, but there was nothing else we could have done.
"If we had not catheterised him his kidneys would have been affected," said Wanguhu.
Wanguhu acknowledged Mabanga was examined in front of female patients because the hospital was running short of facilities and wards.
"When the doctor in question heard about Mabanga's claims, she was traumatised," said Wanguhu.
Mabanga said age and the fact that all his former lovers were now married were the reasons he wanted to get married.
"This will be my third attempt at getting married.
"In 1989 I paid lobola to my then girlfriend, Maureen Mabitsela from Johannesburg, who lives with my 12-year-old boy Sikhumbuzo.
"Our affair ended when her parents wanted me to leave my church and join their African Methodist church. My refusal led to the breakdown of the relationship," said Mabanga.
Mabitsela was not available for comment.
http://www.news24.co.za/City_Press/City_Press_News/0,1885,186-187_1055817,00.html
Yakki Da
Kent
I need more BOE letters, KMs and other material. Those who can send it to me - please do! The new section will be interesting!!
Daily News On The Watchtower and the Jehovah's Witnesses:
http://watchtower.observer.org