Latest news with #OlderPersonsAct
IOL News
16-07-2025
- IOL News
Women care workers face court over alleged elder abuse in Welkom
Six caregivers are brought to justice for their alleged mistreatment of a vulnerable resident in a retirement centre. Six women, once trusted caregivers, now stand accused of abusing an elderly woman. They appeared in the Welkom Magistrate's Court for alleged assault. Police spokesperson, Sergeant Palesa Thabana, said the incident occurred on July 7, where an 81-year-old elderly woman residing at a retirement care centre in Dagbreek, Welkom, was allegedly assaulted and badly injured by the caregivers of the facility. According to Thabana, a complainant known to the police alleged that Lynnette Brummer, the manager of the retirement centre, called to say the elderly woman was refusing her medication. However, upon arriving at the facility, the complainant found the victim with visible injuries and blood on her face, hands, and arms. "The victim had blood and visible injuries on the face, hands, and arms. She was allegedly discovered to be under extremely wet and cold conditions." Thabana added that police found a roll of black duct tape at the scene, stained with blood, which was allegedly used to restrain the elderly woman. "It was revealed how the employees of the retirement village badly handled the victim. Investigations revealed how the victim's hands and neck were tied with duct tape and her face covered. Police confiscated a roll of black duct tape as well as pieces of duct tape with traces of blood on them," she added. Thabana revealed that police swiftly apprehended four of the six women on July 9, charging them with serious offences including attempted murder, assault with grievous bodily harm, kidnapping, and violations of the Older Persons Act. The final two suspects were arrested days later. "Further investigations led to the arrests of Ntswaki Mofolo (30) and Puseletso Moloi (33) on Monday, 14 July 2025. They made their first court appearance on July 15 in the same court. They are facing charges of assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm (GBH) and contravening Act 13 of 2006 of the Older Persons Act," she said. All six suspects — Anna Fourie (73), Lynette Brummer (64), Mapaseka Majorobella (35), Nomsa Ngcongwane (55), Ntswaki Mofolo (30), and Puseletso Moloi (33) — remain in custody. The case is set to resume today, 16 July, in the Welkom Magistrate's Court. The Star
The Herald
16-07-2025
- The Herald
Attempted murder charge under investigation in gross elder abuse case
Six staff members are in custody after an elderly woman at an assisted living facility in Dagbreek, Welkom, was found tied with duct tape and left without basic care. The 81-year-old woman allegedly refused to take medication from staff on Monday last week, said Free State police spokesperson Sgt Palesa Thabana. A visitor saw blood and injuries on the victim's face, hands and arms. She was also 'discovered to be under extremely wet and cold conditions'. Police were alerted. 'Investigations revealed how the victim's hands and neck were tied with duct tape and her face covered. Police confiscated a roll of duct tape and pieces of tape with traces of blood,' said Tabana. Four female suspects aged between 35 and 73 were arrested on July 9. They are charged with attempted murder, assault with the intent to cause grievous bodily harm, kidnapping and contravening the Older Persons Act. Further investigations led to the arrests of two other women aged 30 and 33 on Monday. They are charged with assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm and contravening the Older Persons Act. They are applying for bail in the Welkom magistrate's court on Wednesday. The Association for the Aged operates a national toll free helpline to report elder abuse. The number is 0800 10 111 0. TimesLIVE
TimesLIVE
16-07-2025
- TimesLIVE
Attempted murder charge under investigation in gross elder abuse case
Six staff members are in custody after an elderly woman at an assisted living facility in Dagbreek, Welkom, was found tied with duct tape and left without basic care. The 81-year-old woman allegedly refused to take medication from staff on Monday last week, said Free State police spokesperson Sgt Palesa Thabana. A visitor saw blood and injuries on the victim's face, hands and arms. She was also 'discovered to be under extremely wet and cold conditions'. Police were alerted. 'Investigations revealed how the victim's hands and neck were tied with duct tape and her face covered. Police confiscated a roll of duct tape and pieces of tape with traces of blood,' said Tabana. Four female suspects aged between 35 and 73 were arrested on July 9. They are charged with attempted murder, assault with the intent to cause grievous bodily harm, kidnapping and contravening the Older Persons Act. Further investigations led to the arrests of two other women aged 30 and 33 on Monday. They are charged with assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm and contravening the Older Persons Act. They are applying for bail in the Welkom magistrate's court on Wednesday. The Association for the Aged operates a national toll free helpline to report elder abuse. The number is 0800 10 111 0.
The Citizen
16-06-2025
- The Citizen
Elderly people still targets of brutal attacks and murders in Eastern Cape
Police have also previously confirmed that some of these attacks are perpetrated by their family members. In a country battling the scourge of crime, Minister of Social Development, Nokuzola Sisisi Tolashe, has confirmed that elderly citizens are not spared from it. Tolashe was in the Eastern Cape to commemorate World Elder Abuse Awareness Day on Sunday, where she called on the community members to stand up for the elderly. In the Eastern Cape, the Fort Beaufort area, particularly the Amathole District Municipality, has been identified as a hotspot for brutal attacks on the elderly. ALSO READ: Elderly mother and son shot dead in KZN The area has recorded three incidents of brutal attacks and murders of older persons this year. These include 101-year-old Tototo Elina Masana, two sisters – the 85-year-old Ntombekhaya Magida and 75-year-old Nomfanelo Magida and two sisters – Nonyameko Victoria Nekile and Nozintombi Getrude Gxabashe. Elderly citizens are attacked on accusations of witchcraft, while others have not been spared by extortionists, who prey on them for their grant money. Police have also previously confirmed that some of these attacks are perpetrated by their family members. ALSO READ: 'Madiba never hid money under his mattress,' Malema tells elderly in Soweto 'Elderly women are brutally attacked and killed by ruthless cowards in their homesteads, and some are dying in the hands of their grandchildren. As a community, we must work together to protect the vulnerable and improve morals and good ethical behaviour,' Amathole District Commissioner Major General Xakavu previously said. Attacks on elderly citizens continue Tolashe said on Sunday that the elderly are increasingly becoming victims of acts of violence. 'Many innocent people, especially women, have lost their lives due to false accusations of practising witchcraft without any evidence. Torturing and various forms of violence against older persons accused of witchcraft constitute an infringement of their fundamental Human Rights. ALSO READ: Wife, son and grandson charged with murder of elderly businessman 'Any form of abuse, neglect and exploitation of an older person is not only morally wrong, but also a punishable offence in terms of the Older Persons Act (Act No. 13 of 2006). Despite this and other similar legislation, persecution of elderly women suspected of witchcraft continues unabated in some parts of our country, and this is totally unacceptable.' Tolashe called on community members to report such cases to a local social worker or police. 'As a society, we cannot afford to become numb to these acts of violence against our people. We can no longer afford to be bystanders, for if we do, we risk being complicit. Respect for our elders is a common theme across many religions worldwide, if not all of them.' Tolashe further held a dialogue with young people, urging them to join the fight against the abuse of older persons. 'This involves raising awareness about elder abuse, supporting initiatives to prevent it, and advocating for community-level action in protecting the elderly from various forms of abuse, neglect and exploitation.' READ NEXT: Extortionists in SA now target disabled and elderly for their grant money
