A woman accused of assaulting a physically disabled teenager while employed as a domestic worker for the young man’s family was recently arrested by Brakpan police in the Vaal/Sebokeng area, near Vereeniging.
The matter was initially reported in 2018, but swift action was taken after the teenager’s mother visited the local police station on June 11.
This led to the arrest of the woman later that day.
“An angry complainant came to complain about a case which had not been investigated to her satisfaction,” said Capt Pearl van Staad, spokesperson for the Brakpan SAPS.
“Lt Col Vernon Chetty reopened the case to intervene and followed up by interviewing the mother.”
Van Staad told the Herald the mother hired a domestic worker in 2017 to look after her disabled son while she was at work.
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“The child would have bruises on his forehead and blue marks on his upper body,” van Staad explained.
“The worker would claim the child was playing rough and would retaliate when dangerous objects were removed from him.”
The mother would remind the worker to be more cautious and careful with the child, but his condition did not improve.
In August 2018 the mother grew more concerned about her son after he sustained serious bruises to his face.
“The worker mentioned that he banged into a cupboard, but the mother doubted this,” said Van Staad.”
She decided to install cameras in the living room and his bedroom, and then saw footage of the woman abusing her son.
“When she confronted the domestic worker, the woman denied all the allegations against her and insisted on leaving before month-end.”
She fled and never came back.
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“The mother downloaded the video footage and reported the matter to the SAPS and also mentioned that the woman had two cellphones and was possibly using a false name.
“Lt Col Chetty acted on information received and the suspect, who was using a false identity, was arrested,” said van Staad.
The woman faces a charge of assault with the intention to cause grievous bodily harm.
“The mother was in tears and appreciated the efforts of Lt Col Chetty and the service rendered,” added van Staad.
Brakpan station commander Brig Fredl Jonck applauded the police officer for going the extra mile.
Van Staad urged residents to conduct background checks on domestic workers and other employees in the home before hiring them.
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