The 55-year-old woman stole over R 1.6 million over a three-year period.
The 55-year-old woman stole over R 1.6 million over a three-year period.
A Pietermaritzburg community has been left in total shock by the murder and rape of a 107-year-old grandmother.
As reported by IOL, The unfathomable crime happened in KwaZulu-Natal’s Mpophomeni settlement, Emagwababeni. Girley Maphumulo was found on Sunday evening, after being strangled and beaten by her assailant. By time medical treatment was sought, she had passed away.
Man turns bail down for fears of his safety
According to GroundUp, the accused says that he wants to be allowed to make a formal confession. It has since been confirmed that the man does not want to appeal for bail, fearing that his life will be in danger if he returns to the outside world.
The 36-year-old appeared in Howick Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday, facing charges of housebreaking, murder and rape. This was the scene outside of the venue, as protesters vehemently voiced their disgust at this sick individual’s actions:
Picket outside Howick Magistrates Court where douple rape parolee expected to appear for killing 107-year-old woman. @TheMercurySA @IOL
https://t.co/v408bRrAl3 pic.twitter.com/87sP23ix62— Nosipho S Mngoma (@Mzoeloe) January 31, 2018
Emagwababeni community broken
GroundUp were also on the scene to interview the victim’s graddaughter, Minenhle Maphumulo. She relayed the tragic incident, and described how friends and family struggled in vain to helo keep ‘Gogo’ alive.
“My sister Zinhle and her friend were sleeping. He raped Gogo on her bed. Zinhle woke up when she heard Gogo screaming for help. While Gogo was screaming for help he strangled Zinhle. She passed out.”
“He went to Zinhle’s friend and tried to strangle her but she managed to run out of the house. Neighbours came in to help. Gogo was lying on the kitchen floor. They helped her to the sofa. She asked for water and died.”
When will the accused be charged?
Though we must refer to the man behind these heinous acts as ‘the accused’, his preparedness to confess and fear of the public outcry would suggest he is harbouring a guilty conscience.
The man is due to appear in court again on Friday 9 February.
Also read: The forgotten mining town in Durban where rape is normal
