Publications
- A KZN grandmother, 84, who was raped by a 21-year-old man, has died.
- She was admitted to a local hospital but died at the weekend.
- Creighton police are investigating the matter.
An 84-year-old KwaZulu-Natal grandmother died after she was raped by a 21-year-old man earlier this month, the social development department said on Tuesday.
Two weeks ago, the victim, Sophie Mbhele, was raped by a man who fell asleep in her home following the attack.
She managed to escape and ran to her neighbours, who alerted the authorities.
The man was arrested after he was found sleeping naked in Mbhele's bed.
Mbhele was admitted to a local hospital.
KwaZulu-Natal's MEC for Social Development, Nonhlanhla Khoza, said Mbhele died at the weekend.
The man had forcefully entered her home in Esibizane Village, at Newtonville location-M, in the Dr Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma Local Municipality.
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Khoza described Mbhele's death as a tragedy, saying the pensioner could not recover after the sexual assault.
"It is with a heavy heart that we convey our deepest and most sincere condolences to the Mbhele family for losing a senior member. There are no words that can comfort them at this stage as they are going through such a tough time. However, we want to give them the assurance that our team of social workers will remain with the family," she said.
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She said young people were meant to protect senior citizens in their villages, "and not be the ones who inflict pain".
She said:
Khoza said the man was still in police custody and called for him to remain in prison for life.
"We don't want to see this young man roaming our streets. He is a danger to society."
Police spokesperson Lieutenant-Colonel Nqobile Gwala previously said that Creighton police transferred a rape docket to the Kokstad Family Violence, Child Protection, and Sexual Offences Unit.
It was not yet clear whether the police would be adding any other charges against the accused.
