Cape Town - Strand Patrol Neighbourhood Watch has appealed for witnesses to come forward following an attack on an 80-year-old resident, who was pelted with a stone in the face while feeding the less fortunate.
KC Gericke, chairperson of the neighbourhood watch, said the resident was not prepared to speak at this stage due to shock following the incident, but they appealed for information to find her attacker.
The woman, who cannot be identified, has been left with severe bruises to her face.
The incident took place yesterday just after 7am in the vicinity of Greenways.
“An act of kindness turned into a disturbing scene where a generous woman who was selflessly feeding people from Greenways was brutally assaulted by a white male using a rock, without provocation.
“Two joggers rushed to her aid providing crucial assistance.
“She is not prepared to speak right now as we understand from her friend that she is very shaken and is an 80-year-old woman. We are trying to find out more information about the incident.”
Gericke said the woman has chosen to remain silent.
Police spokesperson, Wesley Twigg, called on the victim to report the incident to police.
“The complainant/victim is encouraged to go to the nearest police station to open a case,” Twigg said.
Niklaas Thysen of the Strand Community Policing Forum (CPF) said they were appalled by the incident and called on police to make an arrest soon.
“As the CPF we strongly condemn these brutal assaults on the most vulnerable, elderly women, and appeal to law-enforcement authorities to act swiftly in apprehending the suspect,” he said.
In a separate incident, Action Society said they were supporting an 85-year-old woman from Langa whose grandchild allegedly tried to kill her.
The group said it signed a mandate and was assisting the family while the case was running at the Bishop Lavis Magistrate’s Court.
The incident took place in July, with the 25-year-old relative facing a charge of abuse of an elderly person.
It’s alleged the grandchild was intoxicated and asked his grandmother whether his girlfriend could sleep over at their residence, which she refused.
He allegedly became enraged and began damaging items around her home before he attacked her.
Earlier this month it was reported that during the first quarter of 2024/25, 15 cases of elder abuse was reported to authorities.
Cape Argus