Help Lance Chinasamy Rebuild After Brutal Attack

Lance Chinasamy, the beloved roti vendor from Salt Rock, is fighting to recover after a brutal and senseless attack near his home in Umhlali on May 22.

Many locals know Lance as the warm, smiling face behind Yaya’s Rotis, where he and his wife Tanya have been serving the community since Lance lost his job during Covid. Their roti-selling business, run near the Tiffany’s Centre entrance, has become a favourite not just for its food, but for Lance smiling and waving at cars as they pass. 

But what started as a simple trip to a nearby spaza shop turned into a nightmare. After finishing a day’s trading, Lance was ambushed by several armed attackers. He was severely beaten and stabbed twice in the head. His lip was torn open, multiple teeth were knocked loose or out, and he suffered injuries to his arms and hands while trying to protect himself.

In a devastating moment, his children rushed to help him — and his 17-year-old daughter was also attacked, sustaining an injury to her arm.

Lance waited more than three hours for an ambulance and wa...