Family attacks woman over refusal to drop rape case

A disturbing incident of family violence has unfolded in Atteridgeville, where a 36-year-old
woman was assaulted by her own mother and brother for refusing to withdraw a rape case
against her boyfriend. The case in question involved the horrific rape of their 11-month-old
child, for which the boyfriend has since been convicted and sentenced to two life terms by
the Pretoria High Court.

According to National Prosecuting Authority spokesperson Lumka Mahanjana, the events
transpired on March 8th of last year. The 36-year-old woman had visited her sister in the
Mooiplaas informal settlements to share the news of her boyfriend’s conviction. “It is alleged
that on March 8 last year, the woman (36), visited her sister in Mooiplaas informal
settlements to tell her about the outcome of the case, that her boyfriend had been sentenced
to two life terms,” Mahanjana stated.

“Thereafter it is alleged that the victim then went to a spaza shop to buy crisps. Upon her return, it is alleged that she found her mother sitting on the chair just outside her sister’s shack,” Mahanjana continued. When the mother inquired about the case, and the victim
explained that she couldn’t attend court due to lack of transportation, the situation escalated
alarmingly.

“At that point it is alleged that the mother (54) then started calling the victim (36) stupid, heartless and selfish while assaulting her with a stick all over her body, because she had told her to withdraw the case against her boyfriend a long time ago,” Mahanjana said.
Shockingly, the victim’s 21-year-old brother also joined in the assault, striking her in the face
with an open hand.

The 54-year-old mother and her 21-year-old son appeared in the Atteridgeville Magistrate’s
Court on Tuesday, March 12, facing charges of assault with intent to cause grievous bodily
harm. The case has shed light on the complex dynamics of family violence and the pressure
victims often face when seeking justice.