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Gogo Hlashila celebrated her 74th birthday on 24 June, and less than two months later, her life was cut short.
THE family of gogo Hlashila Maria Mphukubje is left shattered after she was found murdered at her home on Sunday, 11 August.
The 74-year-old was allegedly hacked to death by man who is a tenant at her neighbour’s house.
The elder son of the dead, Moloko Simon Mphukubje (51) said he received a call from his late mum a few minutes before she was attacked.
“My mum called me on Sunday. She was in distress. She told me she didn’t feel safe and feared the man, who was supposed to help her with painting and building some parts of her house, was going to attack her. I didn’t take her seriously, and only after a few minutes, maybe 10 minutes, later I received another call. This time, I was told to come home urgently,” Moloko said.
When he arrived home, Moloko said he found his mum lying in a pool of blood.
“She had an open wound. I took a blanket and covered it. People were already gathering outside our yard. As a family, we’re shattered because my mum loved everyone. She had four children, three boys and one daughter. She was a loving and compassionate person.
“She raised us with love and taught us to respect people. She didn’t deserve to die like that. I only met the suspect once because he only started renting in our neighbour’s house less than a month ago,” he said.
Moloko said motive killing his mum, especially after she’s hired him to paint the house, is still unknown.
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He said gogo Hlashila was a pillar of the family.
“The entire family is shattered. I’m still in pieces. We’re not coping and won’t cope because we lost the pillar of the family. We still can’t believe what has happened.”
The incident occurred a week after another pensioner, aged 101, was assaulted and raped in the Zaaiplus area under the Sekhukhune District.
Older persons advocacy group, Gogo Association (AG), condemned ongoing killings and abuse of the elderly in the province.
AG chairman Thomas Khoza said they’re still confused.
“We don’t understand what could have led to this tragic incident. We condemn, in the strongest terms, any harmful acts towards senior citizens. We associate incidents such as this with witchcraft. We call upon law enforcement agencies to do their job and ensure the suspect faces the music.”
Limpopo police spokesman Brigadier Hlulani Mashaba said the suspect has been arrested, and further investigations are underway.
“Local detectives acted swiftly, identified and apprehended the suspect (40) shortly after the attack. Further investigations are underway to uncover circumstances surrounding this tragic event,” Mashaba said.
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