A small community of Jabulani, outside Nhlangano, was left reeling from shock and confusion after a 93-year-old woman allegedly committed suicide by hanging herself.
The last moments of Easter Shongwe remain a mystery to both her immediate family members and the Jabulani community. Her daughter-in-law Khanyisile Vilakati said the deceased did not leave any written note neither did she talk to anybody on the reason for her eventual action.
| Eswatini Observer WhatsApp Channel
The elderly woman is alleged to have taken a rope while left alone, tied it into a noose and hung herself inside her locked house. Shongwe lived alone, but was under the care of her 57-year-old daughter-in-law, who has her own home located about a stone’s throw away from where the elderly woman stayed.
Her meals were prepared by her daughter-in-law, who also ensured she took her medication on a daily basis.
As usual, on Tuesday morning, her daughter-in-law said she started the day by checking on her. Then, she left the place for her daily activities.
However, she said she was discomforted by the silence when she returned.
Another thing that was not in order was that the door to Shongwe’s house was locked.
She said she was engulfed by fear and called for her youngest daughter to climb and open the window.
The little girl entered through the window and found the elderly woman’s body dangling from the rafters. “I was able to gain access after my daughter opened for me, from the inside. From what I saw, I became confused to the point that I do not recall anything that happened afterwards. All I know is that the police came and took the body away,” she narrated.
The grieving family has appealed for assistance from sympathetic members of the public to help them give their loved one a decent send off.
Anyone willing to help may contact the family on: 7624 9696.
Acting Police Information and Communications Officer Assistant Superintendent Nosipho Mnguni confirmed the incident when contacted yesterday.
Eswatini Observer Press Reader | View Here
