Limpopo gospel singer ,Ngwana Ledwaba, has apologised for her ungodly acts following a video of her and her family members assaulting a mentally ill woman with a panga. The singer from Mandela Park, Ga-Mashashane outside Polokwane was preparing to go to a funeral when the woman from the same area arrived at her house.
'I'M SORRY'
In a video recording, Ngwana Ledwaba claims that the mentally ill woman trespassed in her home and was behaving in an unusual manner. She can be heard calling the police claiming the woman was naked and trying to harm her, even though the woman was fully dressed and just wandering around her house. She said after several unsuccessful attempts to get rid of the woman, she had no choice but to use force to scare her off. "I apologise unreservedly for assaulting Mma Mautla, I could have handled the matter better and I am sorry for my violent behaviour," she said after the video she shared herself made rounds on social media and her behaviour was condemned. The woman's daughter Maitemogelo Mautla said her mother has been suffering from bipolar disorder since 2001 and that Ledwaba knew this as they are from the same village. Maitemogelo also confirmed that her mother was admitted to the hospital after sustaining injuries following the assault.
TEACH HER A LESSON
Despite her apology, the Conty Lebepe Foundation, a non-profit organisation representing the marginalised in Limpopo has asked for Thobela FM and other gospel events management companies to stop booking the gospel artist. The foundation has asked for various stakeholders to refrain or pause from booking the artist because her actions don't align with the message she relays in her music. "We encourage women to love each other at all times. The worst thing about this particular incident is that the women are not strangers and know each other very well and even the community has reiterated that Ngwana Ledwaba knows that the woman she assaulted. This is disturbing to say the least as she's known for healing the broken souls through her gospel music," said the foundation. The South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) also condemned the singer's behaviour. "The Commission strongly supports the right of private property owners and the full enjoyment of their property, but it is, however, disappointed and expresses grave concern at the use of violence against a visibly mentally unstable person, who due to their mental health challenges," SAHRC said in a statement. Their Limpopo provincial office says although no complaint has been received, they will be monitoring the situation with a possible investigation for intervention.
