adminSukulwenkosi Dube Plumtree Correspondent
A 57-YEAR-OLD woman allegedly stabbed her 85-year-old mother with a kitchen knife, claiming she was treating her painful legs. Gladys Ndlovu of Sikhathini village told prosecutors “God’s spirit” guided her to stab her mother, Lizzie Ndlovu, who has a problem of swelling legs. A court heard how Gladys prayed before stabbing the elderly woman in the leg with a kitchen knife.
Gladys appeared before Plumtree magistrate, Gideon Ruvetsa facing a charge of assault.
Ruvetsa ordered her to be examined by two doctors to ascertain her mental stability, before remanding her in custody to August 14 for assault.
Prosecuting, Elisha Mazorodze said Gladys stabbed her mother on July 13.
“Lizzie was at a home and her daughter touched her legs and started praying indicating that she wanted the legs to heal. While she was praying, Gladys stabbed the old woman once with a kitchen knife,” he said.
Mazorodze said the granny screamed for help and her grandchildren who also stay with her came to her rescue.
He said the matter was reported to the police resulting in Gladys’ arrest.
In another incident a 30-year-old Bulilima man appeared in court for beating up his 78-year-old mother after accusing her of sabotaging him.
Joseph Phuthi of Dombodema struck the old woman Rhoda Moyo with an empty water bucket and slammed her against a wall.
Phuthi told the court that his mother did not have good intentions for him but always sabotaged his plans.
Ruvetsa convicted him of assault.
He sentenced Phuthi to 12 months imprisonment, of which three months were suspended for five years on condition that he does not within the period commit an offence of the same nature.
Ruvetsa suspended the remaining nine months on condition that Phuthi performs 315 hours of community service at Dombodema Clinic.
Prosecuting, Clemence Shawarira said on July 20, Phuthi found his mother in the kitchen around 6AM and started accusing her of being a stumbling block in his efforts to acquire land from their area’s village head.
Phuthi accused his mother of influencing the village head against giving him land.
He said the old woman denied the allegations but Phuthi went on to assault her and she was referred to Plumtree District Hospital for examination.
“Phuthi took an empty five-litre bucket and hit his mother on the right eye. He also slammed her against the wall and she fell down. The old woman sustained a swollen eye, painful backbone and bruises as a result of the attack,” he said.
Shawarira said the old woman reported the matter to the police.
Online Reporter