VANDERBIJLPARK.- A local activist for abused women and children received a call from a concerned citizen regarding a 81 year old woman who was apparently being abused.

According to Pixie Pink’s social media post detailing the horrific case of elder abuse and neglect has since gone viral.

The elderly lady is apprently being abused by her granddaughter and her husband.

“She hardly has clothes, is extremely frail and thin and in urgent need of help.”

The concerned resident also told Pixie that Child Welfare is aware of the case. Pixie and her team decided to visit Child Welfare in Vanderbijlpark to find out what the situation is.

Pink explained that she could not believe her ears when she was told about the case. She immediately decided to pay an unannounced home visit.

“The team was shocked when they stopped parked in front of a rundown, filthy block of flats. There were beggars and drug addicts sitting on the pavement. The stairs were smeared with urine and other suspicious matter.”

Pixie knocked on the flat door but nobody responded. Eventually the granddaughter came to the gate and Pixie asked if they could enter.

They found the extremely neglected and frail 81 year old, referred to as  Tannie K. The granddaughter left the room reluctantly on Pixie’s request.

When alone with Pixie, Tannie K opened up.  She told how she had raised her granddaughter as her mother has been in a psychiatric facility for years.

“Apparently the granddaughter and her husband has been taking Tannie K’s money for a while now”.

But what almost sent Pixie over the edge was when Tannie K told how her daughters husband had raped her.  

“The shame, the pain and hurt on her face was almost too much.” She explained in detail what happened and yes, this corresponded with the information Pixie had.

“She is still of sound mind and the detail was terrible to hear from someone who once was a woman of stature.”

But there is now hope for Tannie K as Pixie made arrangement for place of safety for her to stay.

After hearing this the granddaughter apparently said “remove the f-ing crazy old woman and never bring her back,” to which Pixie made it clear that this was the whole idea. The granddaughter apparently also kept denying that Tannie K is her grandmother.

Pixie insisted on them returning Tannie K ID book and bank card.  At first the granddaughter said that her husband had the ID book with him, but as she took out her own ID book from a cupboard Tannie K’s ID book fell out.

At least Pixie in possession of Tannie K’s ID.

At her new home, Tannie K  was welcomed with open arms.  She only had the old clothes she wore, and everyone immediately arranged for some warm clothing, other necessities and a warm, clean bed to sleep in.

“We arranged for the bankcard to be stopped and she will be taken to the bank as soon as possible to cancel the debit order to pay the rent for the flat she had been living in. She will also be taken to apply for her SASSA grant which she has never received before”.

• If anybody would like to donate any clothes or toiletries, please contact Office Manager Magda De Man at Child Welfare in Vanderbijlpark on 016 933 2022 or drop the items off at their office 26 Osmond Street, Vanderbijlpark.