Cancer-ridden shack dweller cried for help.
MDANTSANE residents are desperate to help a 62-year-old gravely ill woman who has allegedly been abused and neglected by her daughter for the past two months.
Cancer sufferer Nonkumbuzo Grey lives with her daughter, Boniwe Haas and three grandchildren in an NU8 shack. But the appalling conditions have raised concerns in the community. Grey, who cannot walk properly, has allegedly been found on numerous occasions crawling for help after her daughter left her unattended.
Community committee member Nomazotsho Tyam told the Daily Dispatch yesterday residents intervened after they were alerted by neighbours that Grey was locked inside the shack and left alone most days.
“We really saw a need to intervene in this sad situation. Most times she (Haas) leaves her mother alone and we hear that her mother crawls and cries for help,” Tyam said.
During inspections at the home residents said they found Grey hungry, dirty and wet from her own urine.
On Monday the committee members went to the clinic to ask for a donation of adult disposable nappies.
Resident Stella Mahilihili said she now had the responsibility of bathing, feeding and cleaning for the granny.
“After we found out about the incident, I took it upon myself to bath her and clean the environment she lives in. I also feed her. We just want to help her, any kind of help would be appreciated to get her out of this place,” Mahilihili said.
The granny’s grant card was confiscated from her daughter after the cupboards were found without food.
When the Dispatch visited the shack yesterday, Grey was alone.
Although she could not talk properly she said she was in a lot of pain.
“I can’t walk, the doctor said I had cancer. I am in a lot of pain right now. I would like to sleep please,” she said.
In her defence, Haas said she had tried nursing her mother. However, it was not easy. “I lock her inside the shack because it is not safe for her to be outside. I’m scared she could even get raped. It is a difficult time for me, I didn’t even know that I could get disposable adult nappies for her.
“If people think they can do a better job than me then they must take her away. That way I will be relieved from judgment and these horrible accusations,” Haas said.
Matron Abigail Oliphant from the DJ Forbes Old Age Home in Buffalo Flats said social workers needed to take charge in Grey’s case and that they would get involved after an application had been made to them. — mamelag@dispatch.co.za
Community step in to aid suffering granny
MDANTSANE residents are desperate to help a 62-year-old gravely ill woman who has allegedly been abused and neglected by her daughter for the past two months.
Cancer sufferer Nonkumbuzo Grey lives with her daughter, Boniwe Haas and three grandchildren in an NU8 shack. But the appalling conditions have raised concerns in the community. Grey, who cannot walk properly, has allegedly been found on numerous occasions crawling for help after her daughter left her unattended.
Community committee member Nomazotsho Tyam told the Daily Dispatch yesterday residents intervened after they were alerted by neighbours that Grey was locked inside the shack and left alone most days.
“We really saw a need to intervene in this sad situation. Most times she (Haas) leaves her mother alone and we hear that her mother crawls and cries for help,” Tyam said.
During inspections at the home residents said they found Grey hungry, dirty and wet from her own urine.
On Monday the committee members went to the clinic to ask for a donation of adult disposable nappies.
Resident Stella Mahilihili said she now had the responsibility of bathing, feeding and cleaning for the granny.
“After we found out about the incident, I took it upon myself to bath her and clean the environment she lives in. I also feed her. We just want to help her, any kind of help would be appreciated to get her out of this place,” Mahilihili said.
The granny’s grant card was confiscated from her daughter after the cupboards were found without food.
When the Dispatch visited the shack yesterday, Grey was alone.
Although she could not talk properly she said she was in a lot of pain.
“I can’t walk, the doctor said I had cancer. I am in a lot of pain right now. I would like to sleep please,” she said.
In her defence, Haas said she had tried nursing her mother. However, it was not easy. “I lock her inside the shack because it is not safe for her to be outside. I’m scared she could even get raped. It is a difficult time for me, I didn’t even know that I could get disposable adult nappies for her.
“If people think they can do a better job than me then they must take her away. That way I will be relieved from judgment and these horrible accusations,” Haas said.
Matron Abigail Oliphant from the DJ Forbes Old Age Home in Buffalo Flats said social workers needed to take charge in Grey’s case and that they would get involved after an application had been made to them. — mamelag@dispatch.co.za
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