Khanyisile Gumede (79) of KwaQwabe in Mtwalume, who has been accused of practising witchcraft, is living in fear and has been moving from house to house with family members for safety.

According to Gumede, some of her family and community members are behind the accusation and have asked her to leave her home.

She has been moving from village to village with her 12 family members, including grandchildren, for a safe place to live.

Gumede is pleading for help.

She added she just wants to find peace and not live in fear of being attacked or killed.

“More than 50 of my family members are saying I practise witchcraft and have tried to attack me. I called the police to intervene; they could not do anything. This all started while I was living at the family home and they wanted me out.”

Gumede said that she has no reason to practise witchcraft because she lives off her grant and has 12 other people depending on her.

“I am stressed, and shouldn’t be facing such a situation at my age.”

Currently, she lives with her brother’s daughter, Dolly Gumede, who has 18 family members of her own.

According to Dolly, she could not stand seeing her aunt suffering, and she decided to take her in with her children.

“Now 31 of us live together, and I cannot throw them out because they can get killed. I did address some of the family members who are accusing her. I told them not to come near my house or try and attack her while she is with me.”

She added that after Gumede’s husband died, there were family-related issues, but she has never heard or seen her aunt practising witchcraft.

“No one has called me and complained about her, so I was shocked to see her suffering like this.”

Dolly is pleading on her aunt’s behalf for a house to be built for her.

HAVE YOUR SAY

Like the South Coast Herald’s Facebook page, follow us on Twitter and Instagram