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Chief Gampu

Whinsley Masara, Chronicle Reporter
AN 80-YEAR-OLD granny who lived alone in Tsholotsho has died in an inferno.

Shoes Ncube of Simanje Village under Chief Gampu was burnt beyond recognition at her home which is adjacent to that of her son’s.

When neighbours saw the fire, the roof of the hut she was sleeping in had already collapsed on gogo MaNcube and they failed to save her last Thursday.

Her son, Mr Sabelo Nkomo and his family lived within the same homestead with the deceased, but their homes were divided by a perimeter fence.

Chief Gampu said the old woman suffered a painful death and regretted that her family had left her to live alone in old age.

“The loss of ugogo MaNcube in such a manner is terrible. I understand sometimes she suffered mental challenges. Why then would the family leave such an elderly person in such a condition to stay alone,” he said.

Chief Gampu said people should never let vulnerable people, the elderly and children live alone.

“This special group needs loving family members to look after them, cook and assist them whenever help is needed and most of all they need love and care.

It is sad to find an 80-year-old staying by herself, cooking for herself and doing all those chores by herself. Let’s show love to our elders and make sure they are well taken care of at all times.

“We all believe that perhaps its old age which made her fail to save herself. It’s such a painful way to die,” he said.

A villager, Mr Mandla Dube, said they are in shock.

“We are puzzled and are failing to understand how the old woman’s hut could have burnt to ashes with her son and his family not seeing the fire. It was unfortunate that by the time we noticed the fire, it was already too late to save her as the roof had already collapsed on her,” he said.

“Her son, Mr Nkomo, lives with his family in the same homestead which has been divided using a fence. He said he was awakened by neighbours who rushed into his mother’s home to rescue her.”

@winnie_masara