A raging mother beat a rapist to death with the help of an angry mob after finding her disabled daughter undressed at his house in South Africa.
The 44-year-old – who has been dubbed ‘warrior woman’ in her village – arrived home after shopping in Cacadu, Eastern Province, last month to find her 20-year-old girl missing.
Neighbours told her she was last seen walking with a 65-year-old local man to his house and when she stormed in, she found the pair in a state of undress on the bed.
A furious mob who had followed the woman – who cannot be named to protect the identity of the victim – also entered the suspect’s small holding and witnessed the scene.
The mother was arrested and charged with murder but has now been cleared following a public outcry.
South African Police spokesman Captain Yolisa Mgolodela said: ‘The woman caught the man and her daughter getting dressed and asked her what had just been happening.
‘The victim pointed down to her private parts and the mum, assisted by residents, attacked the man who was allegedly beaten to death, leading to the arrest of the mother.
‘The assault by the mother and the community on the alleged perpetrator left him so badly injured that he was declared dead at the scene when an ambulance arrived’, he said
She was bailed and brought before Cacadu Magistrates on Monday in a court room packed with high profile supporters.
The National Prosecuting Authority dropped the charge following the huge wave of public support.
Locals cheered as the charge of murder was dropped.
National Prosecuting Authority’s Eastern Cape spokesperson Luxolo Tyali said: ‘The matter has been withdrawn after careful consideration by the Director of Public Prosecutions’.
The relieved mother told News24: ‘I thank everyone who supported me since the incident and my subsequent arrest, and the withdrawal of the charge means I can now help my daughter.
‘I will now have the strength to focus fully on her wellbeing as she has been emotionally distressed by what happened to her as a doctor has confirmed that she was raped,’ she said.
The brave mother had earlier told how the rapist was a family friend and how she stormed up to his house and kicked in the door and found him and her daughter both half dressed.
She told News24: ‘I cried and asked this man what he was doing to my disabled daughter who cannot even speak for herself so defending her myself was the only option I had’.
She added: ‘What happened happened and is in the past and my daughter and I have to rebuild. Once again, I thank everyone for their support which has come from all across SA’.
Eastern Cape Premier Oscar Mabuyane and his Social Development provincial cabinet minister Bukiwe Fanta were among a huge crowd supporting the mother at the court.
Ms Fanta said: ‘The mother’s action were viewed within the context of a desperate attempt to protect her child from the hands of a violent predator.
‘The decision shows compassion for how individuals may react in a crisis.
‘While the rule of law is essential for order and justice it must also be applied with empathy and an art of understanding human emotion when faced by threat against ones loved ones.
‘The decision reaffirms our commitment to ensuring justice is not blind but also humane. I am very pleased the charge of murder has gone as it shows compassion and understanding.
‘This case has touched the hearts of many in our society and sparked a critical dialogue about the issue of GBV (Gender-Based Violence), parental instincts, and the complexities of our legal system.
‘But the right decision was made by the NPA to withdraw the charge of murder’ she said.
Mr Mabuyane added: ‘We commend the NPA for its sensitivity and careful consideration of the extreme circumstances that led to this case.
‘The decision reflects a compassionate understanding of the context and the instinctive protective actions taken by a mother in a moment of unimaginable desperate trauma.
In 2019 when the Duke & Duchess of Sussex visited Cape Town the story of local student Uyinene Mrwetyana, 19, who was raped and murdered led to huge demonstrations. Meghan released a photo on Instagram of her tying a yellow ribbon with a private message to the victim amongst the sea of ribbons that already festooned the post office which became a shrine
‘No parent should be forced into a position to have to physically intervene to keep their child from harm and we must ensure our communities are safe places for them to grow’.
The incident follows a string of recent cases involving gender-based violence in South Africa.