A 44-year-old woman from the Eastern Cape has been cleared of all charges after fatally attacking a man she caught raping her disabled daughter. The incident took place in Cacadu early last month, and the woman was briefly detained before being released on R500 bail.
She appeared in the Lady Frere Magistrate’s Court in the Emalahleni Local Municipality, where the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) decided to withdraw the charges against her.
Eastern Cape Premier Lubabalo Oscar Mabuyane, who was present in court along with Social Development MEC Bukiwe Fanta, expressed support for the NPA’s decision. He described the situation as one of “unimaginable trauma” and commended the authorities for considering the extreme circumstances surrounding the case.
“This decision reflects a compassionate understanding of the instinctive actions of a mother protecting her child,” Mabuyane said. He emphasized the broader emotional impact the case has had, saying it highlights the ongoing toll of gender-based violence on families and communities.
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The Premier called for collective responsibility across society to ensure that no parent is ever forced to physically defend their child in such a situation. He urged government, civil society, and especially men, to play active roles in eradicating gender-based violence.
The provincial government has pledged continued support for survivors of such violence through trauma counseling and social welfare services provided by the Department of Social Development and its partners.