Hilma Hashange

KING KAULUMA – A pensioner, who survived an attempted murder attack earlier this year, is asking to be counselled for the psychological effects she endured.

Maria Haufiku (64) was allegedly hacked with a panga in May by her 40-year-old former lover, Johannes Yakuyava. He also set the hut she was hiding in on fire after he had slashed her. 

The incident happened at her homestead at King Kauluma village in the Nehale lya Mpingana constituency in the Oshikoto region. 

Yakuyava was charged with arson and attempted murder.

Officials from the information ministry’s Oshikoto office recently paid a visit to the victim’s house to enquire about her wellbeing, and learned that Haufiku had not received counselling to deal with the trauma. 

She said the incident left her feeling traumatised, and she has been experiencing sleepless nights ever since.

 She is, thus, still reeling from shock after the attack, and is scared to stay in her house. 

Haufiku has since relocated her homestead, metres away from where the incident happened.

“I am fine, but I am also not fine. That incident left me traumatised. I am even scared to stay in my own house. I have not received any counselling whatsoever. Where will I get someone to talk to and confide in, and how will I go and see them? I really need someone to talk to because I cannot get over what happened to me; it is still fresh in my mind,” she narrated.

Upon enquiry, acting Oshikoto health director David Mulilo indicated they are willing to assist Haufiku by assigning a social worker from the Omuthiya District Hospital to assist with counselling services. 

“We are public servants, and we are here to help the community when they need our help,” he said.

Haufiku gave birth to 12 children, but only six are alive.

 She currently lives with two of her children and four grandchildren. 

Although she qualifies for a pension grant, she does not receive any. She merely depends on the harvest from her mahangu field. 

The elderly woman complained that apart from the emotional effect of the incident, she also sustained cuts to her face and arms. 

As a result of her injuries, she is now left with a broken arm, which hurts from time to time, resulting in her not being able to lie on her right side. 

Furthermore, she suffers from high blood pressure even before the incident, and her health has markedly deteriorated after the attack.

Haufiku recalled how her former lover, who hails from neighbouring Angola, had threatened to kill her at one point. 

She continued with the relationship because she thought he was just angry, as he did not act on his threat then. 

“We once had an argument, and he threatened to kill me. I did not take his threats to heart because I assumed he was probably just drunk. I did not anticipate him to attack me that day, so I am suspecting he must have been on drugs,” she continued. 

She also recently found out that her former lover was in another long-term relationship with a much older woman, and was dating both pensioners at the same time. 

Asked if she had now forgiven him, Haufiku is adamant that she will never forgive him. 

“If I had done something to provoke him, maybe I would understand. But I can never forget and forgive his actions. I am a Christian, but I will never forgive him for what he did to me. Maybe at a later stage, but not now. He will not set foot in my house anymore. I forbid it, even if he is released,” she said agitatedly.

Haufiku feels that people who are in abusive relationships should rather keep silent and not engage in arguments with their partners, as they would be inviting death wishes. 

The two former lovers have since separated and have not been in contact. 

Yakuyava remains in custody, and his case will return to court in November. 

- MICT Oshikoto

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