Gran fights off would-be rapist

2007-10-31 08:51

Norman Silke

Port Elizabeth - It was by the grace of God that an 84-year-old grandmother was able to summon the strength to defend herself against an attacker.

Susanna Groenewald, 84, and her sister, Mizpah Cronje, 79, have been living in a house in Windsor Road in Uitenhage for the past six years.

They were overpowered by a criminal late on Sunday night, causing Cronje to be admitted to hospital and leaving Groenewald with several injuries.

According to Groenewald the two-hour nightmare started at about 03:00 after she had heard a noise and went to the kitchen to investigate. A man appeared next to the fridge and started attacking her.

Said they were 'rubbish'

"The man of about 30 hit me over the head with a glass bottle and told me to lie down on the kitchen floor. My sister heard the noise and came to investigate," said Groenewald.

The attacker hit Cronje over the head with a chair.

According to Groenewald, the attacker threatened them with a knife and warned them that he would kill them. He told them they were "rubbish".

The man then at his leisure searched the house for money and other valuable items.

Meanwhile, Groenewald was not able to determine her sister's condition, as she was lying with her back to Cronje and was not allowed to turn around.

"While he was busy inside the house, I said people like him were cowards as they attacked elderly people. He told me to shut up and that we were rubbish."

At one stage he enjoyed a soft drink and took meat from the fridge.

The moment Groenewald feared most, arrived shortly before the suspect left the house at 05:00.

"He stood over me with his penis in his hand and told me he was going to rape me. I then received power from the Lord and kicked him hard between the legs. He left the house."

According to Groenewald, the police might have caught the suspect if she had not called the wrong number while she was in shock.

"I kept calling 041 10111, instead of only 10111. I then called my daughter-in-law and the police."

Cronje was admitted to Livingstone Hospital with a cracked skull and was in serious condition.

Her sister suffered head and face injuries and was still in shock.

Police spokesperson superintendent Priscilla Naidu said the suspect fled with an unknown amount of money, a DVD-layer and clothes.

The police were investigating charges of attempted murder and housebreaking.

The suspect might have gained access by means of a broken window in the pantry.

- Die Burger