Limpopo: ‘Not a joke to bash the elderly’
Friends of the young perpetrator shared video footage of a seemingly pre-meditated attack on an elderly woman in Limpopo on social media platforms as an apparent joke. The daughter of the victim shared her mother's story.
LIMPOPO – The Department of Social Development condemned a seemingly pre-meditated attack on an elderly lady in a village outside Burgersfort.
A young woman, who posted on social media that she would “deal with the victim” attacked the 54-year-old woman near her place of residence. The subsequent attack was said to be encouraged through comments made on these posts.
Those involved in the attack afterwards shared a video of the incident on social media as an apparent joke. The video depicted the woman being beaten and kicked.
*Sammy, the daughter of the victim contacted Review and shared her mother’s story in an attempt to raise awareness of abuse of the elderly. She shared the video of the assault with Review as well.
*Sammy said the incident happened on 7 April in Riba Cross village.
“My mother was assaulted by a 23-year-old woman; A woman who is part of a group of women who thinks it a joke to bash an old and powerless woman.”
She explained to Review that her mother was often bullied by the group of women because of her “youthful appearance”.
Supplied screenshots of a conversation on social media between the woman who assaulted the victim and her ‘friends’ indicate that the attack was planned beforehand.
“At first we thought her threats on social media to assault my mother was just an innocent rant,” she told Review.
*Sammy said her mother was assaulted shortly afterwards.
“She sustained injuries to her face and body and we opened a case of assault with the intent to do grievous bodily harm at the local police station.”
The case number is known to Review and confirmation from the police is awaited as to whether the woman was officially charged.
“The incident is humiliating and caused my mother trauma. I want to share her story so that people are made aware of what is happening to the elders in villages and to ensure my mother gets justice. I want to send a message to the people who think that they can get away with making life difficult for others that such barbaric and inhumane behavior will not be condoned.”
The Department of Social Development’s Spokesperson, Witness Tiva said the department took note of the video footage of an elderly woman being assaulted by a young woman in the Sekhukhune district. “As the department we are concerned about the continuing acts of violence which are being circulated on social media.”
Meanwhile, video footage of a female Gr 10 learner being slapped around at Mbilwi Secondary School in the Vhembe East education district went viral earlier this week. The learner, who was bullied, reportedly took her own life following this incident.
Read more: Limpopo teen commits suicide following bullying incident
Social Development MEC, Nkakareng Rakgoale condemned both incidents and urged the public to not share violent video material on social media.
The department has dispatched a team of social workers to both areas, to provide psycho-social support to those involved.
*Review chose to withhold the real name of the daughter.
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