Pensioner (81) assaulted

BOPHELONG.- As South Africa faces a crisis regarding women and child abuse, 81-year-old Florida Mahlatsi was recently assaulted by her granddaughter’s ex-fiance in Bophelong.
Speaking to Sedibeng Ster, the man’s ex-fiancee, Masake Mahlatsi (36) who is the pensioner’s granddaughter said that the problem started when the man went to her grandmother’s house in Bophelong, apparently under the influence of alcohol, demanding to see their two children knowing very well that they were not staying there. Masake said her grandmother told him that the children were not at her house and that is when he became infuriated and started assaulting her. It is said that she managed to escape from the man’s beating’s but he followed her and continued to kick her in the face, breaking her jaws. The pensioner called for help from neighbours and she was rushed to Sebokeng Hospital where she was treated.
“I’m very disappointed because this happens when we, women, are being abused and killed by the people we call our loved ones. This man knows that our children are not staying with my granny but with me in Vanderbijlpark. But he went to my granny’s place and demanded to see them. I’m married now and I stay with my children,” Masake said, adding that she is afraid of her grandmother’s life as the man is obviously capable of anything if he could beat an elderly person the way he has done to her grandmother.
“ I want to appeal to the community to help in fighting this monster because I don’t know what will happen to my grandmother,” she told Sedibeng Ster. A case of assault was opened with the Vanderbijlpark Police and the suspect was arrested. He has since been released on bail.