ANGRY community of Mboza Reserve in Mhlabuyalingana took the law into their own hands by beating and stoning to death a suspect alleged to have raped an 85-year old woman, who later died from her injuries.
It is reported that on Friday, Nyanyekile Gumede was alone at home when she was accosted by Sgansonso Mabika (20), who strangled her with a rag before raping her.
Local councillor Johnson Gwala said Nyanyekile lived with her sister, who is also a pensioner.
‘Mabika was spotted by Nyanyekile’s sister, who had gone to collect her old age grant.
‘When she came home, she spotted Mabika leaving her house and went to investigate. She found Nyanyekile strangled with a rag and laying in a pool of blood as she was badly bleeding from her private parts.
‘She untied her and called for assistance. Nyanyekile allegedly told her sister that she had been raped by Mabika,’ Gwala said.
He said even though the police were called in, irate community members decided to locate Mabika themselves.
‘They spotted him running towards Pongola bridge and caught him. They started assaulting him with sticks and stones and he was declared dead at the scene,’ he said.
Gwala added that Gumede was rushed to the nearest clinic for medical attention.
‘She died on Saturday on her arrival at Manguzi Hospital. Mabika was a well known drug addict who recently raped a goat to death.
‘In this village, pensioners who live alone are being targeted by criminals who rob them of their money.
‘We have appealed to communities to ensure that they look after their grandparents, especially during the days of collecting old age grants,’ said Gwala.
Police spokesperson, Captain Senzo Gumede, said cases of rape, murder and an inquest docket were registered at Jozini SAPS for investigation.
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