Specialist investigators have been assigned to investigate a case of rape and attempted murder after a 61-year-old woman and her 21-year-old grand-daughter were attacked in their Extension 9 home on the weekend.
Specialist investigators have been assigned to investigate a case of rape and attempted murder after a 61-year-old woman and her 21-year-old grand-daughter were attacked in their Extension 9 home on the weekend.
Police spokesperson Captain Mali Govender said both the victims were asleep when they were woken up and attacked by unknown men, who entered through a window.
Govender said both were beaten with an iron rod and stabbed. "The elder victim who attempted to fight back sustained stab wounds and a broken arm while the younger victim suffered several injuries to her upper body," she said.
When Grocott's Mail arrived in Extension 9 on Sunday, the community had called a meeting on a field in the area to discuss ways of dealing with crime in the area, as a result of the shocking incident.
About 50 residents gathered at the field and voiced their feelings about crime in Extension 9.
During the meeting, concerns were raised about someone imitating the sound of a crying person in the area which might have caused people to ignore legitimate crying sounds.
The residents also called a group of boys who normally stand next to the local shop to ask them to assist with clues regarding the attack and identifying the suspects.
The boys were also told to stop standing near the shop.
At the meeting it was also suggested that one person from each of the houses in the area attend a patrol session, which is normally co-ordinated by the Community Policing Forum.
The emotional gathering lasted about 30 minutes, before the residents were asked to sign a register and the meeting closed.
Both victims are in a serious condition and receiving medical care in hospital.
One of the first people to arrive at the house after the woman and her grand-daughter were attacked, described the scene as "horrific; the two women were badly beaten up".
A relative and a neighbour said the weapons were still on the scene and two young children, who were in the house when the attack occurred, were not harmed.
A relative, who can not be named to protect the identity of the victims, said the 21-year-old's daughter, who is not yet able to speak, came out carrying her mother's phone, signalling to her that they had been attacked. "I asked Makhulu what happened and she told me that they had come in through the window asking for (the 21-year-old victim) and she says she told them to get out and they started beating her up," she said.
Govender said specialist investigators had been at the scene on Sunday as well as during the course of Monday, 7 April.
No arrests have been made.
Reacting to the news on Monday, newly appointed Grahamstown Cluster Commander, Brigadier Morgan Govender, said: “This horrendous act of wickedness is being investigated by a team from our Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Unit at Grahamstown. We are working closely with the community."
Govender appealed to anyone who may have information about the incident to contact Crime Stop on 08600 10111.
