Six-year-old 'too scared to go home' after brutal abuse, allegedly by his gran

A woman from Mpumalanga, who allegedly beat her six-year-old grandson with an axe, has been released on R500 bail, police said on Wednesday. 

The 40-year-old woman appeared in the Mayflower magistrate's court after the assault, which happened last week. 

Brig Leonard Hlathi said the assault came to light after a concerned community member found the boy wondering the streets after school on Friday. He recognised the boy's uniform and accompanied him back to school.

The Grade 1 pupil did not seek help from his teachers, but went to a classroom to seek refuge. 

“Fortunately, one of the teachers, who was locking classrooms that day, found the little boy inside the classroom while his fellow pupils were already at home,” said Hlathi. 

The teacher asked the pupil why he was not on his way home. 

“The boy related the story of being constantly abused and assaulted by his grandmother. The teacher informed fellow teachers and police were summoned,” Hlathi said. 

The boy then showed teachers and police the injuries he had suffered, allegedly at the hands of his 40-year-old grandmother. 

Hlathi said the child was severely bruised all over his body.

“A police probe revealed that the victim was allegedly assaulted with an axe and was afraid to ever set his foot at home because of the experience that he had. Hence, he opted to sleep in the classroom,” said Hlathi. 

“The boy, who was shaking and crying uncontrollably, complained of pains all over his body. [He] had visible, serious injuries and he was unable to walk properly. According to information at police disposal, the victim was late to school that morning, which suggests he might have struggled to walk to school because of the ordeal he went through at home,” he added.

The child was rushed to a clinic, where medics transferred him to the Embhuleni Hospital due to the seriousness of his injuries.

After being discharged, the boy will be sent to a place of safety.  

Hlathi said police immediately went after the grandmother, who was charged with assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.

On Wednesday, her case was postponed to March 30 for further investigation. 

Meanwhile, provincial police commissioner Lt-Gen Mondli Zuma expressed outrage at the incident.

“Children should be heard, not hurt, by those they trust and love. I urge society to stand up against these barbaric acts against children, who are the future of our nation.”

He called on community members to blow the whistle on child abusers, saying such crimes usually happened behind closed doors, away from the eyes of police.