The Sunday News
Robin Muchetu, Senior Reporter
THE widow of the late Reverend Reuben Mabhena of the Brethren-In-Christ Church is living in abject poverty after the family of the deceased allegedly dumped her at her Woodville plot last year before her husband died.
Mrs Alineth Mabhena nee Mhlophe, a former teacher who once also worked for popular Bulawayo supermarket, Haddon and Sly, wedded Reverend Mabhena in 1986.
Her younger sister, Mrs Ossie Mhandu said Mrs Mabhena became mentally ill soon after the marriage which was not blessed with children.
“MaMhlophe was married in 1986 and unfortunately she fell sick soon after and never had children. They, however, stayed together at BICC in Bulawayo and he even tried to get her treated in the United States of America to no avail,” said Mrs Mhandu.
She said problems started when Rev Mabhena fell ill some years ago and was hospitalised at Mpilo Central Hospital.
“After the Reverend was discharged he was taken in by his relatives in Hillside suburb around 2013 and they abandoned MaMhlophe at the church residence yet they knew she was an ill person who needed care,” she said.
However, despite her mental state, she always asked about the whereabouts of her ill husband as the Mabhena family did not facilitate that she visits him in Hillside.
When Rev Mabhena retired in 2016 and had to pave way for a new resident minister, it meant Mrs Mabhena had to vacate the church premises.
“The church informed the Mabhenas that they needed to use the manse for the new Reverend. That is when they took her to the Woodville plot by herself. The sad thing is that there is no water or electricity at the plot and at 59 years of age what can she do to survive considering her health condition,” lamented Mrs Mhandu.
However, Mr Samuel Mabhena, elder brother to the late Reverend disputed that they had abandoned their sister-in-law.
“Alineth is our malukazana, we love her. Of course after a few years in the marriage she fell ill and we did not chase her away. But there came a time when she was very ill, she was insulting people and she no longer stayed at the house, she was always on the streets. But still my brother was keen and patient with her and he still kept her as his wife,” he said.
When Rev Mabhena retired in 2016, he said they took her to their plot in Woodville at the instruction of the late Reverend who had been told to pave way for a new Reverend at the church premises. She, however, didn’t want to stay there.
He said they left her at the plot “kicking and screaming” because she wanted to remain in the church house and the Mabhenas had indicated they were not in a position to accommodate both her and her ailing husband in Hillside. Mr Mabhena said the church was planning on renovating the Woodville home for the widow and they were also sending foodstuffs regularly.
He said he was surprised to hear that she is not cared for. He further said the Mhlophe family must wait to be summoned by the Mabhenas in regards to the welfare of their sister.
“Thina yithi esikhombisayo so we will call the Mhlophes when we are done mourning and we discuss the way forward regarding her welfare and inheritance, they must be patient with us and not come to us as yet and question us on the way forward. She is our baby, our wife,” he said.
Sunday News visited the Woodville plot where Mrs Mabhena is staying. The house has two solid windows, the roof tiles have fallen off and the entrance was strewn with clothes and pieces of furniture that have seen better days. Pieces of zinc sheets and plastics hold together what is left of the roof. Mrs Mabhena was cooking on an open fire and she welcomed the visitors.
“Thank you for coming here, you can get into the house. This is now my home, I am sorry for the falling ceiling but I need it fixed, I hope you can get it fixed for me,” she said.
The inside of the house painted an even gloomier picture with dilapidated furniture and old clothes. However, she seemed “content” with her surroundings as she has also been clearing the land. According to Mrs Mhandu her family tried to engage Mr Mabhena who is also a pastor over the welfare of Mrs Mabhena but they have hit a snag.
“We looked for him after the death of Rev Mabhena so that we could facilitate to get a death certificate so that we assist our sister, she is ill and she needs our help to get that document. But bayasibalekela, we have even gone to the police so that they summon Mr Mabhena to dialogue with us,” she said.
Rev Mabhena’s close ally, a Mr Ndiweni who had been entrusted with his important documents, then contacted the Mhlophes in order to give his widow the documents. The documents included vehicle registration books, agreement of sale for the Woodville plot, marriage certificate and many more.
The Mhlophe family said they were grateful to BICC which has been assisting the widow when Rev Mabhena was taken by his family a few years ago.
