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What looked like an ordinary day turned into horror for 27-year-old Mmapeu Neo Hlanga from Zebediela, Limpopo, when she was doused with acid in a brutal attack by her boyfriend’s jealous ex-girlfriend, Ivyone Maja, in October 2024.
The assault left Hlanga with devastating scars across her chest, hands, and thighs, and damage to her eyesight. A young mother to a four-year-old, she says the attack robbed her of her dignity. “I can’t even stare at myself in the mirror,” she told IOL News, explaining how her child no longer recognizes her.
The case, already disturbing for its cruelty, has taken another shocking twist. Hlanga’s boyfriend has finally broken his silence — but instead of compassion, his words have left many outraged. He admitted that he ignored Maja’s threats, saying he believed Hlanga’s beauty made her “too strong” to be harmed.
The remark has stunned the community, with many calling it heartless and dismissive of the life-altering injuries Hlanga has suffered. Social media erupted in anger, accusing him of downplaying her suffering and failing to protect her when it mattered most.
Hlanga’s relationship with the man began in 2022, while she was working at a grape and blueberry farm in Mokopane. After financial difficulties forced her to drop out of Capricorn TVET College, she took up general work to support herself and her child. It was there that their romance started.
But trouble followed quickly. Maja, the ex-girlfriend and mother of the man’s child, reportedly began spreading rumours that Hlanga and her boyfriend were having sex at work. The claims escalated tensions, and by August 2024, Hlanga lost her job after a disciplinary hearing many now describe as biased and unjust.
Just two months later, Maja struck. Pretending to make peace, she arrived at the boyfriend’s home carrying what appeared to be a cold drink in her handbag. But instead of reconciliation, she pulled out a container of acid stolen from her workplace — where it was used to kill insects — and hurled it onto Hlanga’s face and body. Witnesses recall her shouting, “You’re having a great time, neh?” as the acid burned through Hlanga’s skin.
The young mother was rushed to Zebediela Hospital before being transferred to Mankweng Hospital, where she remained in treatment for months. Doctors fought to stabilize her injuries, but the scars left behind are permanent.
Police arrested Maja, 25, on Valentine’s Day 2025. She was initially charged with assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, but prosecutors later upgraded the charge to attempted murder. She was granted bail of R3,000 and appeared in the Mokopane Regional Court on July 1, with the case postponed to July 21.
For Hlanga, recovery has been grueling. Beyond the physical pain, she faces emotional trauma and the challenge of raising her child while coping with disfigurement. Speaking out on social media, she revealed that she has ended her relationship with the boyfriend and is now focused on healing.
She has also appealed for donations to fund reconstructive surgery, which doctors say will be essential but costly. “Even though I’ve accepted myself, I can’t just sit and do nothing,” she said, explaining that she hopes to regain some of her features through plastic surgery.
Her story has touched many across Limpopo and beyond. Community groups and ordinary South Africans have rallied behind her, offering messages of support and condemning both the attacker and the boyfriend’s insensitive remarks. On X, users like @LimpopoVoice wrote: “His statement is proof that he never cared for her safety. This woman deserves justice and real support.”
Women’s rights organisations have also stepped in, warning that the case reflects a wider problem of violence rooted in jealousy and control. They argue that the criminal justice system must send a strong message by treating acid attacks with the same severity as other violent crimes.
As the court date approaches, pressure is mounting for authorities to ensure accountability. Police have urged anyone with further information to contact Crime Stop on 08600-10111, stressing the importance of public cooperation in strengthening the case.
Meanwhile, Hlanga continues to document her journey, determined to inspire others while fighting for her own future. Though her life has been permanently altered, she says she refuses to be defined by her scars.
The community’s outrage remains focused on one haunting detail — the boyfriend’s chilling dismissal of the threats against her. What he brushed aside as empty words became a nightmare that left a young mother disfigured and fighting to rebuild her life.
