Pensioner blind after brutal attack
A PENSIONER is fighting for her life at KwaHlabisa Hospital after a brutal attack that has left her blind.
Ntombenkulu Nkosi (72) of the Nvutshini reserve outside Mtubatuba, was hacked with a bush knife, reportedly by a well-known local suspect who targeted her old age pension grant.
Among other serious injuries, Ntombenkulu lost her sight following the attack on Tuesday night, 11 January.
Her grandson, Sithembiso Nkosi (35) said Ntombenkulu was alone at home when the incident occurred.
‘The suspect kicked the door open and demanded cash.
'My grandmother had gone to collect her old age grant at a local pension payout point on the same day.
'When the suspect realised that there was no money at her home, he struck her several times on the head with a bush knife, before taking her cellphone and leaving her alone and bleeding badly.
‘She spent the whole night alone, and the next morning she managed to crawl out of the house to look for help. She barely managed to reach the gate and was discovered by her neighbour who had come to borrow a hand hoe.
'Her neighbour alerted us about the incident,’ Sithembiso said
Ntombenkulu was rushed to the local clinic and was transferred to KwaHlabisa Hospital, where she spent eight days.
‘She was discharged from the hospital last week Thursday
(20 January).
'We took her to the police station to open the case.
'On Tuesday, she became very ill, and we had to rush her to the local clinic again. She was also transferred to the same hospital.
'At the hospital, doctors discovered that one of her ribs had been fractured during the attack,’ Sithembiso said.
Ntombenkulu’s neighbour, who asked not to be named, said the suspect is known but has since left the area.
‘After the incident, Iskebhe members called a meeting, and his family revealed that he is nowhere to be found,’ he said.
KwaMsane Saps confirmed that a case of attempted murder and house robbery is under investigation and no arrest has been made.