Pretoria – A domestic worker is in an intensive care unit at Steve Biko Academic Hospital in Pretoria after being allegedly savagely beaten up with a golf stick by her employer’s son in Montana.
Christinah Mabena, 53, works for other households in the area and was on duty on the day of the incident.
Her sister, Emma, said she spoke to her every day, including on November 25 when she left work but never returned home to KwaNdebele. The family later learnt that she had been hospitalised.
“I was sad to learn that my sister had been admitted to hospital and was in a critical condition. I rushed to see her and could not even recognise her face,” said Mabena.
Christinah received a number of stitches around her left eye and sustained broken ribs, she said.
Mabena said her sister had been working at the household for almost nine years, and everyone in the family was fond of her.
“Christinah would share with me how her madam was always in tears because her son, 28, was untrustworthy and believed to be using drugs,” Mabena said.
She said it was for that reason that Christinah was never left with the son alone in the house.
It was claimed that the son took Christinah’s cellphone on the day of the incident, and when she demanded it back, he lost his cool and attacked the mother of two.
Mabena said since the incident they had not heard nor received support from the employers. “I just want my sister back in good health and shape so that she can continue taking care of her family. We all look up to her. I go to her whenever I need to talk to someone,” said Mabena.
A case of attempted murder was opened against the son at Sinoville police station on the day of the incident. The son was arrested and appeared in the Pretoria North Magistrate’s court on December 5 and again yesterday . The case was postponed to January 23.
The suspect has been referred for a 28-day psychiatric evaluation.