Durban – A 75-year-old woman from the CC section of Umlazi, south of Durban in KwaZulu-Natal, has been tragically murdered, allegedly by her own son. The gruesome incident occurred on Monday, 3 March, leaving the community in shock and mourning.
The victim, a beloved grandmother known as "gogo" in the community, was reportedly stabbed multiple times with scissors during a violent altercation with her 35-year-old son. When the scissors broke, he allegedly continued the attack with a knife. Residents who arrived at the scene were met with a horrific sight: gogo's bloodied body lying on the floor, her teeth scattered around her.
According to neighbours, this was not an isolated incident. The son had allegedly subjected his mother to repeated abuse over a long period, but she had consistently refused to report him to the police, believing that he would eventually change his ways.
Ward committee member Phumelele Malunga revealed that gogo had confided in her about the abuse, asking her to inform the ward councillor about her struggles. "After assessing gogo's home, the social workers advised she be taken to an old age home. But the gogo refused, saying she couldn't leave her house and the grandchildren to live with her abusive son," she said.
Malunga added that gogo was also advised to open a case against her son, but she declined. "It's painful that he killed her. On the day he killed her, it started with an argument as usual and he ended up beating her. But this time it was really bad because he stabbed her. The grandchildren ran away to get help. But she was already dead when help came," she recounted.
A resident, speaking on condition of anonymity, expressed the community's disbelief at the brutality of the crime. "He was unemployed and relied on his mother's pension. He used to beat her every time he wanted her money and even when he wanted food," the resident said.
The gogo, who had four sons, lived with the accused, her youngest child, and her grandchildren.
KZN police spokesman Colonel Robert Netshiunda confirmed the arrest. "Cops in Bhekithemba arrested a 35-year-old man for murder after a 75-year-old woman was allegedly stabbed to death by her son at Umlazi CC," he said.
Netshiunda added that the suspect is due to appear before the Umlazi Magistrates Court soon.
