An 81-year-old woman tragically lost her life after allegedly being assaulted by her son on a small farm near Piketberg on the West Coast. The incident, which occurred on Sunday, January 19, has sent shockwaves through the local community. The victim, whose identity has not been publicly released, was initially taken to Piketberg Hospital under the belief that she had suffered a sugar attack. However, medical staff quickly suspected foul play and alerted the police to the fact that the injuries she sustained were consistent with an assault.
The victim was later transferred to Tygerberg Hospital in Cape Town due to the severity of her injuries. Despite efforts to save her, she passed away on Tuesday, January 21. Her 54-year-old son, who had reportedly assaulted her in the early hours of Sunday morning, was arrested the following day after fleeing the scene. He has since been charged with murder.
Billy Claasen, Executive Director of the Rural and Farmworkers Development Organisation, condemned the attack in the strongest terms. “This was a barbaric attack on a member of the agricultural community,” he said, emphasizing that such violence not only affects individuals but also impacts the entire region. The West Coast, known as one of South Africa’s key agricultural hubs, has been shaken by the news, as Claasen called for unity against crime in the area. He also urged the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) and police to ensure that the accused remains in custody without bail.
Claasen’s sentiments were echoed by other community leaders, including Siyabulela Monakali, a spokesperson for Ilitha Labantu. Monakali highlighted the vulnerability of elderly individuals, particularly women, to domestic violence and abuse. “Older persons are often subjected to multiple layers of risk, including physical frailty, social isolation, and dependence on others for care,” Monakali stated. This case, according to him, underscores the urgent need for action to address the systemic factors contributing to the abuse and neglect of elderly people.
The police investigation, led by the Piketberg SAPS, is ongoing. Warrant Officer Joseph Swartbooi confirmed that the suspect had been arrested and appeared in the Piketberg Magistrate’s Court on January 21. He was remanded in custody until his next court appearance on January 28. The motive behind the assault is believed to be domestic-related, but investigators are working to determine further details.
The case has brought attention to the alarming rates of violence against elderly people, particularly within domestic settings. In many instances, it is family members who are the perpetrators of such violence, which only deepens the trauma for victims and their communities. The police are continuing their investigation and have appealed to anyone with information to come forward.
As the community grapples with this heartbreaking loss, the calls for justice grow louder. Claasen and others in the agricultural sector have expressed their condolences to the family and the wider community, while urging greater protection for vulnerable individuals, especially the elderly, who remain at risk of domestic violence. The case has also sparked a broader conversation about the systemic issues contributing to the abuse of older South Africans, as well as the need for stronger measures to protect them from harm.