A SINGLE mum in South Africa who beat to death a man who had raped her disabled daughter has had her murder charge officially dropped.
Cheers erupted in the courtroom as high-profile officials and locals, some dubbing the 44-year-old mother “Warrior Woman”, celebrated the decision.
When the mum returned from shopping in the Eastern Province, she discovered her 20-year-old daughter was missing.
Neighbours told her the young woman was last seen walking with a 65-year-old local man to his house.
The mum’s worst nightmares were confirmed when she saw her daughter having been undressed at the man’s home.
A crowd followed the woman – who cannot be named to protect the victim’s identity – and entered the suspect‘s small holding.
South African Police spokesperson Captain Yolisa Mgolodela stated: “The woman discovered the man and her daughter putting on their clothes and inquired about the situation.
“The daughter indicated towards her private areas, and with the help of the neighbors, the mother assaulted the man, who was reportedly beaten to death, resulting in her arrest.
“The attack carried out by the mother and the community on the suspect left him in such critical condition that he was pronounced dead at the scene upon the ambulance’s arrival.”
She was released on bail and appeared before the Cacadu Magistrates’ Court on Monday, where – following huge public support – the National Prosecuting Authority formally withdrew the charge.
Locals in the court room cheered as the murder charge 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National Prosecuting Authority’s Eastern Cape spokesperson Luxolo Tyali said: “The matter has been withdrawn after careful consideration by the Director of Public Prosecutions.”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 mum 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 well-being as she has been emotionally distressed by what happened to her as a doctor has confirmed that she was raped.”
The mum had earlier revealed that the rapist was a family friend.
She said: ”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 South Africa.”
Eastern Cape Premier Oscar Mabuyane and his Social Development provincial cabinet minister Bukiwe Fanta were among the high-profile people supporting the mother at the court.
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, parental instincts, and the complexities of our legal system.
“But the right decision was made by the NPA to withdraw the charge of murder.”
Eastern Cape Premier Mabuyane similarly said: “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.
“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.”
It comes as another mum’s murder charge was dropped in South Africa for similar reasons.
Nokubonga Qampi, dubbed “Lion Mama”, stabbed a man to death and seriously injured two others when she caught all three allegedly raping her daughter.
Prosecutors in South Africa revealed that two other charges of attempted murder have also been dropped after ruling that there was no realistic chance of a successful prosecution.
There was a huge public backlash when prosecutors first charged her, sparking a campaign to fund her legal fees.
Two lawyers even offered their services for free to defend Qampi after the incident in September 2017.
Meanwhile, the Duchess of Sussex Meghan Markle made a trip in 2019 to pay tribute to a girl who was raped and murdered during a Royal visit to Cape Town.
Student Uyinene Mrwetyna, 19, went to collect a parcel at her local post office when she was lured into a trap.
She was tortured, raped and bludgeoned to death with the post office scales last month and her body was later dumped in the township of Lingelethu West in Khayelitsha.
Her murder shocked South Africa and sparked country-wide demonstrations against violence to women – which Meghan mentioned in her speech on the first day of the Sussexes’ South African tour.
Domestic abuse – how to get help
DOMESTIC abuse can affect anyone – including men – and does not always involve physical violence.
Here are some signs that you could be in an abusive relationship:
- Emotional abuse – Including being belittled, blamed for the abuse – gaslighting – being isolated from family and friends, having no control over your finances, what you where and who you speak to
- Threats and intimidation – Some partners might threaten to kill or hurt you, destroy your belongings, stalk or harass you
- Physical abuse – This can range from slapping or hitting to being shoved over, choked or bitten.
- Sexual abuse – Being touched in a way you do not want to be touched, hurt during sex, pressured into sex or forced to have sex when you do not consent.
If any of the above apply to you or a friend, you can call these numbers:
Remember, you are not alone.
1 in 4 women and 1 in 7 men will experience domestic abuse over the course of their lifetime.
Every 30 seconds the police receive a call for help relating to domestic abuse.
