A 44-year-old woman from the Eastern Cape, who was charged with the murder of her disabled daughter’s alleged rapist, has been acquitted of all charges. The decision came after a brief court appearance at the Lady Frere Magistrate’s Court in the Emalahleni Local Municipality on Monday.
The incident that led to her arrest unfolded early last month in Cacadu, where the mother reportedly confronted the man accused of raping her daughter. Following the altercation, she was taken into custody but was subsequently released on R500 bail.
Eastern Cape Premier Lubabalo Oscar Mabuyane was present at the court proceedings, expressing his support for the National Prosecuting Authority’s (NPA) decision to drop the charges. “While we acknowledge the independence of the judiciary and respect the legal processes that were followed, we commend the NPA for its sensitivity and careful consideration of the extreme circumstances that led to this tragic incident,” he stated.
Premier Mabuyane described the case as resonant not only within the province but throughout the nation, tapping into the collective consciousness surrounding the pervasive issue of gender-based violence. He highlighted the profound emotional and psychological burden such violence imposes on families and communities alike.
“This decision reflects a compassionate understanding of the context and the instinctive protective actions taken by a mother in a moment of unimaginable trauma,” he remarked. The Premier emphasised that no parent should ever find themselves in a situation where they must resort to physical action to safeguard their child.
Further addressing the matter, Mabuyane called on all sectors of society, including government, civil society, traditional leaders, and particularly men, to take proactive responsibility in combatting gender-based violence. “We must ensure that our communities are safe places where children can grow without fear and where women are protected and supported. No one must live in fear in their own home,” he asserted.
The provincial government has also pledged to continue offering support services to survivors of gender-based violence and their families. This includes access to trauma counselling and a range of social welfare programmes provided by the Department of Social Development and its allied partners.