Staff Reporter
Free State police have arrested a 37-year-old man for allegedly raping his grandmother aged 79 while she was sleeping.
Provincial police spokesperson Brigadier Sam Makhele said in a statement the elderly woman had to be rushed to hospital due to excessive bleeding following the brutal rape believed to have occurred in the early hours of Sunday morning in Thabong, Welkom.
The victim told the police that she had been living alone in her house for about a month after the grandson left without saying where he was going.
“On Sunday . . . at about 02:30 he arrived home and raped her,” said Makhele.
He threatened to kill her if she told anyone about the incident.
“Due to the bleeding the elderly woman was admitted at Bongani Hospital,” added Makhele.
The suspect has since been arrested and is expected appear in court soon on a charge of rape.
The acting provincial police commissioner, Major General Solly Lesia, expressed shock at the attack and urged communities to look after the elderly.
“It is shocking to learn about this act by someone close to the victim. The arrest of the perpetrator will ensure that he has his day in court,” said Lesia.