Mbambangwe woman survives brutal bush-knife attack by relative accusing her of witchcraft

A 65-year-old woman from Mbambangwe in Zingcuka A/A, Tlokweng, narrowly escaped death last week after she was violently attacked by a relative inside her home.

Speaking to The Informer, Nophumzile Gabhayi recounted the terrifying incident, which took place on Friday morning. She said she was sitting on a bench feeding a three-year-old child when her brother-in-law, Thamsanqa Gabhayi, forced his way into the house without uttering a word.

“He entered and immediately came towards me. Before I could react, he started stabbing me on the head with a bush knife. I was shocked and asked him what I had done, but he did not respond—he just kept stabbing,” said Nophumzile.

She explained that she managed to grab the bush knife, leading to a struggle that caused both of them to lose grip of the weapon. “I managed to push him down and fought back, targeting his private parts. He started bellowing like a bull. After a while, I found the bush knife and hit him on the head. That’s when he ran away,” she said.

Nophumzile immediately called neighbours, who chased after Thamsanqa, apprehended him, and brought him back to the homestead. When questioned about his actions, Thamsanqa allegedly claimed he wanted to kill her because he often saw her in his dreams dressed in black, plotting to kill him. He further accused her of witchcraft, saying she had killed his brother.

Neighbours alerted police, and Thamsanqa was arrested. Reports indicate he is currently under police guard in hospital. Nophumzile together with her 3 and 4 year grandchildren are still traumatised and have not received counselling  since the incident

Thamsanqa Gabhayi is well known in Harry Gwala Park in Matatiele as the church pastor, suggesting he travelled from Matatiele to Tlokweng with the intention of attacking his brother’s wife based on unfounded allegations of witchcraft.