Gladys Thusi of 13th Avenue, Alexandra, alleged she was severely assaulted on 8 November by her neighbours. She said the assault was reported to Alex police and the neighbours were arrested, but to her surprise they were released without her knowledge.
She said, unprovoked by her, the attackers wearing their full church uniforms, pounced on her with a panga, knife and a wooden object, leaving her with gashes on the head, deep cuts on her hands and bruises on her body. The reason behind the attack is still unknown.
This was in full view of other neighbours who, she said, just watched and failed to intervene. Thusi credits her survival to the immediate help from a relative of the attackers who took her to Alexandra Clinic, which transferred her to the Joburg General Hospital where she received stitches and was given a blood transfusion.
She said their release made her feel let down by the very people she trusted would protect her, especially as she is defenceless while recuperating from her injuries.
“I am unhappy and wanted to drop the case, as they are free to go about their business while I struggle with pain and can’t care for my children and household. I have even contemplated suicide as I doubt that I will get justice on this matter maybe because I am poor,” she stressed.
Thusi also alleged that one of the attackers sent an SMS message to her son urging him to discourage her from pursuing the case.
Her friends, Nomthandazo Tsotetsi and Mpho Monaisa, urged her not to drop the case, but to escalate it to the police station commander.
The case continues.
