Granny (90) dies gathering firewood

A 90-YEAR-OLD Mangwe woman collapsed and died while gathering firewood in the company of her three-year-old grandson, police said.

Matabeleland South provincial police spokesperson, Inspector Philisani Ndebele confirmed the death of Thembeni Dube on Wednesday last week at Wilfred Farm in Marula area. He said Dube left for the bush around 11AM in the company of her grandson and never returned, the Chronicle reported.

"The now deceased left for a nearby bush in Wilfred Hope Farm to fetch firewood and she was carrying a small axe. At around 5PM on the same day her body was discovered by a neighbour who was also collecting firewood on the farm," said Insp Ndebele.

"The deceased's grandson, who was found sitting beside her dead grandmother, indicated that he was waiting for her to wake up as she fell down while they were collecting firewood."

Insp Ndebele added: "The police attended the scene and they noted that the deceased person was lying facing down with her axe and firewood that she was collecting on her hands.

"There were no signs of injuries on her body or any signs of struggle, which shows that she died of natural causes. We do not suspect any foul play in the incident."