Durban — KwaZulu-Natal Department of Social Development MEC Nonhlanhla Khoza has condemned the murder of a pensioner whose body was discovered days later in her home.
The department said that Mayvis Lieketseng Molefe’s body was found in a pool of blood after she was butchered and covered with a blanket in her home in Stepmore village, Underberg, ward 1 of the Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma Local Municipality.
Molefe, 62, was allegedly attacked by unknown people and her body was discovered on Sunday after neighbours did not see her for days. Molefe stayed alone in her home and details with regard to the murder remain sketchy.
Khoza said attacks and brutal murders of the elderly were very concerning.
She sent her heartfelt condolences to the Molefe family after losing a grandmother.
“The gruesome murder of Molefe, whose remains were discovered days after the incident, shows that we have a lot of immoral people residing in our society. It is very sad and painful that some families still leave elderly people alone,” Khoza said.
“The murder of women is on another level of wickedness in our nation and we must all to stand up against such crimes. There are a lot of heartless criminals who prey on older persons in society.”
Khoza said the absolute brutality of crimes was shocking beyond belief and pointed to an increasingly disturbing trend in the levels of aggression afflicting older persons. She also said that vicious crime needs communities to create a safety net for older persons.
“We urge communities to always play their role to protect the most vulnerable people in their respective villages. We are both angered and saddened by the barbaric murder of people who are the pride of our nation. We call on the law enforcement agencies to work around the clock to track down those involved in Molefe’s murder,” Khoza said.
The MEC further called on local communities who might have information regarding Molefe’s murder to share it with the police or leaders they trusted.
She also dispatched a team of social workers to the Molefe family to provide psycho-social support.
Daily News