Horror on New Year’s Eve: Free State home invader rapes 92-year-old

SAPS has confirmed that an elderly woman in a small Free State town is believed to have been raped by her neighbour on Thursday. The incident, which took place just minutes before midnight, has left residents of Tlholong shaken to their core.

Free State home invader ‘raped elderly neighbour’

A 34-year-old man from Kestell allegedly robbed and raped the 92-year-old in her house – after gaining entry through her window on New Year’s Eve. He also stole a blanket and a TV set from the property.

It’s understood this heinous assault was carried out at knifepoint during the home invasion. The suspect smashed his way in through a window, before terrorising his vulnerable and frail victim. The police have since arrested the man in his thirties, who will now be processed by the courts. All stolen items were recovered by law enforcement officials.

Horror as 92-year-old attacked in her home

SAPS have released a statement on the matter, confirming that the suspect will now be charged with two offences:

“It is alleged that on Thursday, 31 December 2020 at about 23:45, a 92-year-old woman was asleep alone in her bedroom when she heard a windowpane of her bedroom breaking. Her bedroom lights were still on when she fell asleep hence she could notice that the suspect was actually her neighbour.”

“The suspect allegedly threatened the victim with a knife and raped her. After that, he robbed the victim of her TV set which was in the bedroom. He used the same broken window pane to exit the house with the TV set and blanket.”

“The victim reported the matter to the police on 1 January 2021 at about 06:15 and the suspect was arrested shortly thereafter. The stolen items were recovered at the suspect’s place. He is expected to appear before Kestell Magistrates’ court soon facing charges of house robbery and rape.”

SAPS statement

#sapsFS A 34yr-old man arrested for the alleged rape & robbery of an elderly woman (92), his neighbour from Tlhobong near Kestell. She was raped last night and reported it this morning and #SAPS members arrested the suspect thereafter. SWhttps://t.co/kpeGD44X8Z pic.twitter.com/AgasKf4NT9

— SA Police Service 🇿🇦 (@SAPoliceService) January 1, 2021