Police said said a family member found the deceased, Johanna Kruger, with wounds to her face and neck.
THE POLICE are investigating a case of murder after an 80-year-old grandmother was stabbed and killed at her home in Middelpos, Upington on Monday afternoon.
Northern Cape police spokesperson Captain Sergio Kock said a family member found the deceased, Johanna Kruger, with wounds to her face and neck on November 16 at around 1pm.
“The police are investigating a charge of murder and house robbery after a .38 special firearm was reported missing from the house,” said Kock.
He stated that a manhunt has been launched for the suspect/s.
“No arrests have been made for the murder, as yet. Anyone with information is requested to contact Detective Warrant Officer Steven Roos on 082 693 7130. The investigation continues.”
DA provincial chairperson Harold McGluwa said on Tuesday that the party was “deeply angered by the cruel murder”.
He added that it was disturbing that ahead of the start of this year’s 16 Days of Activism campaign an incident like this comes to light.
“Such tragic incidents of gender-based violence occur year after year, with no visible results in terms of tackling these crimes,” said McGluwa. “The Upington area in particular has become notorious for violent crimes against women and children. Last year, an 82-year-old woman was raped in Blikkiesdorp and later succumbed to her injuries. There have been many other vicious murders in the area as well. The question is when will this end?”
McGluwa added that in reply to parliamentary questions the Minister of Police, Bheki Cele, had in October indicated that 139 members of the SAPS have had cases opened against them relating to gender-based violence (GBV).
“Of the 14 cases of SAPS-related GBV in the Northern Cape, at least six are in the greater Upington and surrounding areas,” McGluwa pointed out.
He added that the massive backlog of DNA case exhibits at the National Forensic Science Laboratories was nearing 100,000 cases.
“In effect, thousands of victims of GBV and other crimes are being denied a recourse to justice.”
The Minister of Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities, Maite Nkoana-Mashabane admitted last month that there was no budget to fund the establishment of a National Council on Gender-Based Violence and Femicide.
She also conceded that there was no time frame for the legislation of the national strategic plan to combat gender-based violence and femicide.
