Siphakeme .Mnindwa
Mashudu Mambo
VILLAGERS of Manazwa line in Tsholotsho, Matabeleland North province have been left dumbfounded after a 30-year-old man allegedly dragged his naked grandmother (80) outside her bedroom and threatened to kill her with a hammer.
Elina Sotshela was in tears when she narrated that her grandson whom she raised from a tender age was allegedly abusing her.
“My grandson, Prince Sotshela has made my life unbearable, he has a habit of getting intoxicated and abusing me. He would drag me from my bed and pull me outside claiming that he wanted me to serve him food.
“This has happened in over four incidents, however, on the fourth occasion, he came into my room carrying a hammer and dragged me out of my room indicating that he wanted to kill me.
“I was so frightened that l resorted to telling him that l wanted to go out and relieve myself, l ran away from the homestead. Fortunately, l met up with two villagers who took me to the village head’s house,” she said.
Sotshela indicated that her grandson threatened her before he left for South Africa.
“The matter was reported to the police but to my surprise, he came back home the next day. Some of the relatives in South Africa took him and before he left, he threatened to kill me when he returned. I am living in fear of being killed by my grandson,” she said.
She highlighted that she hopes that she will find a helper who will stay with her.
“My desire is to have a relative that l stay with because I am very old to do a number of chores and I cannot defend myself when any criminal comes to the homestead,” she said.
The village head of Mananzwa line, Vincent Hadebe indicated that the incident has left the community divided.
“This incident has had a great toll on us as we are worried that a number of elderly women are being abused by their grandchildren. Sotshela ran away from her homestead at night and when she realised that she was lost she then called for help.
“Fortunately, some villagers came and helped her. This man abuses his grandmother when he is intoxicated. As a community, we are worried because after we reported the case, the next day the boy returned home. My fear is that if criminals who abuse octogenarians are allowed to go scot-free, it means that our elderly are no longer safe,” he said.
