AN 82-year-old granny from Mdantsane who survived an assault, attempted murder and attempted rape in her home on Saturday has told of the ordeal from her hospital bed.
The woman’s plight was revealed yesterday as national crime statistics indicate a drop in the number of sexual offences reported in the Eastern Cape and Mdantsane from last year, by 4.1% and 21% respectively.
The granny from NU7 is due for an operation on Friday at Frere Hospital.
The man, who is known to her, broke her jaw during the attack in her bedroom.
The incident took place after 4pm when the attacker entered her home and went straight to her bedroom.
Angry residents took the law into their own hands when they assaulted a suspect at the granny’s home.
Police spokesman Lieutenant Nkosikho Mzuku said a 38-year-old man was arrested for assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm. He remained in custody pending a court appearance “soon”.
Speaking to the Daily Dispatch from her hospital bed, the granny, who lives alone and is not being identified due to the nature of the crime, told how the man shouted that he had come to kill her.
Still swollen, with bruises on her face, a broken jaw and a bruised body, the elderly woman said: “I had just finished doing my garden and I decided to enjoy my tea while lying on my bed.
“He came straight to my bedroom. I asked him what he wanted and he told me that he had come to kill me and that he wanted my family to recover my dead body on the floor,” the teary granny said.
She said she had tried to fight him off but he overpowered her during the assault, which she believed could have led to rape.
“He immediately started boxing me on my face and my body. I cried for help as I was fighting him back. I could not believe what was happening as I am a respected elder in our area.
“Even the fact that I lived alone had never been a problem before. I know that child, I took him as my child and when he threatened to kill me I shouted back that he would not be able to do anything to me because I walk with Jesus,” said the woman.
A 15-year-old girl, who heard the screams, alerted neighbours to the attack.
Residents claimed the suspect had been implicated in other attempted rape cases in the area.
The granny’s adopted daughter, who also cannot be named, said: “We are very hurt by what has happened. The whole community is angry, they wanted to kill him. When I cleaned my mother’s bedroom, there was blood everywhere from the attack.
“I found her false teeth under the furniture as I was taking out the stones and bricks used by the residents to beat the suspect,” she said.
“Residents went there to oppose bail but were told the suspect was in hospital.
“The police have not taken a statement from the granny and we were told the suspect would be set free later this week.
“It’s really sad.”
“Elderly people are now scared for their lives,” resident Nosipho Kanise said. “Two grannies have already left their homes following this incident.”
Brave granny survives vicious attack, rape attempt in Mdantsane
The woman’s plight was revealed yesterday as national crime statistics indicate a drop in the number of sexual offences reported in the Eastern Cape and Mdantsane from last year, by 4.1% and 21% respectively.
The granny from NU7 is due for an operation on Friday at Frere Hospital.
The man, who is known to her, broke her jaw during the attack in her bedroom.
The incident took place after 4pm when the attacker entered her home and went straight to her bedroom.
Angry residents took the law into their own hands when they assaulted a suspect at the granny’s home.
Police spokesman Lieutenant Nkosikho Mzuku said a 38-year-old man was arrested for assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm. He remained in custody pending a court appearance “soon”.
Speaking to the Daily Dispatch from her hospital bed, the granny, who lives alone and is not being identified due to the nature of the crime, told how the man shouted that he had come to kill her.
Still swollen, with bruises on her face, a broken jaw and a bruised body, the elderly woman said: “I had just finished doing my garden and I decided to enjoy my tea while lying on my bed.
“He came straight to my bedroom. I asked him what he wanted and he told me that he had come to kill me and that he wanted my family to recover my dead body on the floor,” the teary granny said.
She said she had tried to fight him off but he overpowered her during the assault, which she believed could have led to rape.
“He immediately started boxing me on my face and my body. I cried for help as I was fighting him back. I could not believe what was happening as I am a respected elder in our area.
“Even the fact that I lived alone had never been a problem before. I know that child, I took him as my child and when he threatened to kill me I shouted back that he would not be able to do anything to me because I walk with Jesus,” said the woman.
A 15-year-old girl, who heard the screams, alerted neighbours to the attack.
Residents claimed the suspect had been implicated in other attempted rape cases in the area.
The granny’s adopted daughter, who also cannot be named, said: “We are very hurt by what has happened. The whole community is angry, they wanted to kill him. When I cleaned my mother’s bedroom, there was blood everywhere from the attack.
“I found her false teeth under the furniture as I was taking out the stones and bricks used by the residents to beat the suspect,” she said.
“Residents went there to oppose bail but were told the suspect was in hospital.
“The police have not taken a statement from the granny and we were told the suspect would be set free later this week.
“It’s really sad.”
“Elderly people are now scared for their lives,” resident Nosipho Kanise said. “Two grannies have already left their homes following this incident.”
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