Mazibuko finally reunited with his sons

A former resident of Katlehong, Masilo Mazibuko (59) has recently reunited with his two sons after reluctantly separating for two years and seven months.

The Mazibuko family bowed to fate and fled for their safety following a case of arson at their home and an incident of attempted mob justice at the hands of community members of Motloung Section, Katlehong.

Their lives were threatened by angry community members who wrongfully accused Mazibuko of raping and killing an eight-year-old girl on October 13, 2020.

Mazibuko has four children, two girls Refilwe and Ntswaki, and his stepson Lerato Mazibuko and last born Karabo Madonsela.

He lived with his two boys but after the incident, they scattered around the Kathrous townships. Lerato lived in the township while Madonsela moved around with his father.

Their lives drastically changed from owning a 14-room family house to living with relatives and later in the bush and under the bridge in Alberton.

It has been two years and seven months since the family woke up in the same house, and sat together to share a meal or even connect and bond.

Only recently Madonsela found his father, who has been displaced since their home was burnt.

After he found a job and a place to rent, he took his father in to stay with him while they waited on the community’s reaction to their reinstatement at Motloung Section.

Mazibuko said he is very happy to have reunited with his son because it has been a while.

He said his son also fled for his life, knowing that there were people who were accusing them of committing the crime.

“It was difficult for us to meet. Even when he wanted to find me, he could not because he did not know who he was going to meet on the streets and whether those people would target him or not,” said Mazibuko.

He said at the time they reunited his son was assisted by a family to whom he introduced Mazibuko after spending months living in a bush at Alberton.

“The family were his guardian in my absence. I am very happy because I now live with my son and I was able to meet my other son Lerato.

“I started looking for him in January and found him around February at his workplace after three failed attempts. He was on the night shift roster and I went to his workplace to see him,” he added.

“Lerato told me that he was afraid of going to Katlehong because when the family was attacked he was rescued by the police. We see each other often now. He gave me his contact details and even bought me a cellphone.”

Madonsela said he is pleased to be in his father’s presence after their long dissociation.

“I was trying to go back to school, I did not have time to search for my father. After getting a job, I always thought of him but my problem was that I could not find him when I went to look for him at the last place he was living,”
He said he managed to find a place in November last year. Luckily he was able to find his father and arranged for him to come to stay with him.

“At the time he was supposed to move in with me, I struggled to find him again until I found him in March this year. He was happy to have a place where he can stay comfortably, unlike the bush where he worries about his safety constantly.”

Madonsela said being separated from his father affected him badly, at some point he wanted to delve into drugs.
He said life is a lot better now. It is like back in the old days before they were separated, the bond is still the same.

Mazibuko recalled how he spent his days with his children before the unpleasant change in their lives.

“When I woke up every morning, I used to think about my children because I lived with them. We liked having breakfast together every morning.

Secondly, I was playing the role of a father and mother to my children. I had the responsibility to give them a better life,” he explained.

“My wish was for my last-born son to finish school, but as time passed our lives changed. That is when I lost hope when I lost my children and everything.

“I thought by now we would have changed our lives but things are better. I realised that is the most important thing in life. I am happy to be alive and to see my children alive,” he said.

Mazibuko is hopeful that his case will be resolved with the support he has been getting from some people at Motloung Section. He further said he hopes his name will be cleared.

He said he is disappointed by the police for not attempting to stop the people who burnt their homes.

“They could not help us. They also promised to help me to go back to school but that did not happen until I gave up and dropped out in Grade Eight.

“I still want to go back to school because I have gained a lot of experience in welding.”