The 36-year-old single mother whose 13-year-old daughter was beaten by her neighbours and whom the police had threatened to charge decided to drop the matter after the child expressed fear about going to court.
On Sunday, September 4, this newspaper had featured the story of the woman, whom we called Marlyn (not her real name), and the struggle she had experienced in her quest to provide for her three children.
The woman, who has an education and is employed, suffered some of the worst forms of domestic violence and was raped more than once. She also tried her hand at gold mining as two of her former partners were gold miners.
The distressed mother had said her daughter was beaten by her female adult neighbours who taunted her about her mother and that the girl had retaliated. The situation deteriorated over a period of time and recently became physical, which saw the child being beaten with a paling stave.
The woman had said she reported the matter to the police who informed her that her child would also be charged because she allegedly fought back. The child had visible injuries.
“But I decided to drop the matter because she is fearful and I don’t want to force her. Right now I am just happy that we are away from them,” the woman told this newspaper recently.
She said that she has since removed from the community to a temporary location as she continues to look for a permanent location. She had expressed the wish to move out of the community for the sake of herself and the children, two of whom had indicated they wanted to take their own lives.
The children are being counselled and the mother hopes with the new environment and new schools things will get better.
