Radio personality Given Mathabela is mourning the heartbreaking loss of his only daughter, Lusanda Hope Mathabela (19), who was brutally murdered inside their home in Nelspruit, Mpumalanga, on November 3.

In a deeply emotional open letter shared on social media, the devastated father poured out his pain and disbelief:

“My heart feels like it has been torn out of my chest. The pain of losing you is deeper than anything I have ever known. I keep thinking this can’t be real — that any moment, you’ll walk through the door and say ‘Appa’. But I know you won’t, and that truth is unbearable.”

Mathabela’s daughter was found with multiple stab wounds, and police have arrested two 18-year-old suspects — Katlego Mokoena and Lungelo Sithole — who allegedly broke into the house during a construction project. When Lusanda screamed, one of them reportedly stabbed her.

In his letter, Mathabela said:

“I’m so sorry, my child. Sorry I couldn’t protect you. Sorry that you were brutally stabbed by someone you trusted. You didn’t deserve to die like this. You deserved peace, safety, and happiness.”

He added that he would have given his life to save hers:

“If I could trade places with you, I would — without a second thought. Every part of me aches wishing I could have been there to shield you.”

Lusanda was remembered as a bright, loving, and kind soul who brought joy to everyone around her. Her father ended the letter with a touching goodbye:

“I hope you can hear me somehow. I hope you can feel how much I love you — how much I always have and always will. I hope your soul has found peace, free from fear, free from pain.”