MOROKE – Locals watched in disbelief as an abusive stepfather and drug addict, Mr Paris Malaza recently allegedly set his partner, Ms Pretty Phasha’s shack on fire after they had a quarrel.
The incident took place on August 25 at Moroke’s Section F and has left the family of four homeless. She and her children are now left with only the clothes they wore on that day – this means the two kids can’t go to school. The only valuable document she managed to save was her ID.
Her firstborn, Nthabiseng Phasha (17) received a school shirt by well-wishers. At this juncture, her two other kids, a boy and girl, are staying at their grandmother’s home while their peers are studying. They don’t have uniforms or books.
“My man has been abusive since we met. I always prayed and wished he would change his misdemeanours, but I guess I was only fooling myself. The problem started when he called my daughter and the phone was answered by her classmate – a boy. He accused her of being in sexual relationships and subsequently confiscated her SIM card and cellphone. Last Friday he tried raping her.
He told me he wanted to see if she was still a virgin. I told his family about his behaviour and he, in turn, told them “to get lost”. That Sunday he beat my daughter up in front of me. When I intervened he also gave me a serious beating. He normally acts strange after smoking dagga. We ran to my friends for help but were shocked when a neighbour called us informing us of the blazing inferno that was destroying my shack.
When we arrived, it was too late as the fire already ruined my belongings. There was still some smoke emanating from other parts of the shack. I couldn’t control myself as I cried helplessly,” she said.
Malaza admitted to the crime and was arrested at the scene, in full view of the community members. He appeared in Mecklenburg Magistrate Court on August 26 on charges of arson. The case has been postponed to September 2.
The family has to start all over, in order to bring about some balance in their lives. Phasha receives a stipend for her work as a cook at the local high school.
She claims Malaza has abused her on several occasions, and hopes other women will learn from what happened to her and get out of an abusive relationships.
