TO AN elderly woman from Freedom Square in Mangaung, Free State, Sisi Ntombela was sent from heaven!
The MEC for social development was on a door-to-door campaign in the area when she found the gogo at home alone.
She had been locked in the house with a few peaches for food and a 20-litre bucket as her toilet.
Although she could not walk, she managed to crawl to the door and screamed for help.
And, as luck would have it, the MEC heard her and came to her house.
Ntombela told Daily Sun: “The old woman was crying for help and pleaded with us to give her water and food. She asked us not to leave her alone in the house.
“It was such a disturbing scene to see an elderly woman in such bad conditions. I realised I had no choice but to break down the door and rescue her.”
One of the neighbours said the woman was often locked in the house by her daughter.
“She locks her mum in the house while she goes out to have fun. She doesn’t even bath her,” said the neighbour.
Ntombela said they were shocked to see the pathetic living conditions of the gogo.
“She had only peaches to fill her stomach. Her ID and grant card were not there. She told us she doesn’t remember the last time she held her own money. These are not the living conditions we want for our people, especially our elders,” said angry Ntombela.
She said social workers will investigate the matter.
The gogo’s daughter only arrived at the house after 4pm. The MEC had been waiting for her since 9am.
“We took the gogo’s ID and pension card from the daughter and the old woman was taken to a place of safety,” said Ntombela.