According to the investigating officer in charge of the case, Lt Col Mdluli of the domestic and family violence and abuse unit at the Katlehong SAPS, the process is in the final stages before a decision will be taken to present the case docket to the prosecuting authorities for a trial.
In an interview with Kathorus MAIL on February 2, investigator Lt Col Mdluli confirmed that the case was still under investigation. He described the mental assessment of the victim as the only remaining obstacle left before all the evidence gathered and submitted during the investigation, including the results of the forensic tests, will be presented for a decision to prosecute or not.
The investigating officer also mentioned that police are in constant contact with the family. “We have made them aware of what has been going on since the incident happened on New Year’s Eve,” said Mdluli, who also assured the newspaper that police are also collaborating with the local community, which has been openly vocal about the rape involving an elderly pensioner.
Meanwhile, community members of Paradise Park in Extension 13, Vosloorus, have vowed to monitor the case closely to ensure that the victim and her family are treated fairly by the police. “The problem we have is that we fear this case could end up in the air without the suspect having his day in court because he is a traffic officer,” said a female community member who asked for her name be withheld.
A member of the local youth, who also asked to speak to Kathorus MAIL on condition of anonymity, said that his group was doing everything to keep the incident in the public’s eye. “We are aware there may be a few community members who want to see this issue swept under the carpet and forgotten. We will not allow that to happen,” said the 24-year-old accountancy student at a local private college.
The case has also raised tempers among a few older women in the community who have lashed out at the local men for their lack of support. One of these angry women openly praised the youth for taking a stand. “The men in this community should be ashamed for sitting at home watching TV while their children openly stand up in response to such serious issues.”
Captain Piet Rossouw, the media liaison officer for the Katlehong SAPS under whose jurisdiction the case docket was initiated on New Year’s Day, has also promised to keep Kathorus MAIL updated regarding any new developments in the case.
