Forum shines light on elderly abuse in Alexandra

After suffering abuse from her daughter and grandchildren, an elderly woman in Alexandra attempted to take her own life by consuming rat poison.
Her story was shared by Ageing With Wisdom Region E Elderly Forum’s secretary, Mamoraka Mogane, during their Grandparents’ Day event on July 29, and it has cast a spotlight on the suffering of senior citizens in the community.

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“We went to the elderly [person] to understand what the problem was. She told us that her daughter abused her, and she thought it was better to die,” Mogane said.

“It is so heartbreaking for a girl child to abuse her grandmother. Not only was she abused by her daughter, but her grandchildren had joined in as well.”

Mogane said the woman would receive support because of the intervention of forum members and social workers. But she noted that her case was not isolated. In Alexandra, where unemployment and poverty are widespread, many elderly residents face financial and emotional abuse from the very people they raised. Mogane said the abuse often centred around South African Social Security Agency (Sassa) grants, which some children and grandchildren seize for personal use.

“Some have problems, such as grandchildren taking their Sassa grants. Some entirely lose control of their Sassa cards.”

The Grandparents’ Day, held at the Methodist Church, was more than a celebration. It became a safe space for elders to speak openly about their struggles. Mogane said the forum’s goal was to ensure that seniors knew help was available.

“Today, we gathered the elderly, so that while we celebrate Grandparent Day, we may be able to advise them. So, when we are united like this, we talk about our problems, advise each other, and show each other how to tackle our challenges.”

The forum works closely with social workers who can intervene when home environments become unsafe. “Social workers ensure that the person is taken to a retirement home or another safe place.”

She said some elderly people run away from their own homes because of their children, and that is not right. But the forum is trying to change that by encouraging seniors to join support groups and speak up at meetings; it hopes to break the cycle of elderly abuse, steeped in silence.

“We tell them that they must be open and share their problems, because if they keep quiet, the stress will build up. We want them to share so we can help.”

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