MPUMALANGA police have launched a manhunt following the discovery of an 80-year-old woman’s body stashed in a freezer at Pankop near Mmamethlake on Monday.
Police spokesman Colonel Donald Mdluli said a preliminary investigation suggests that the victim was staying with her 10-year-old grandson as well as a caregiver, believed to be from Lesotho, hired by the family to look after gogo.
Mdluli said on Monday, the boy came back from school only to find that there was nobody at home.
“He realised the door to the house was wide open but the burglar door was locked. He then began to ask neighbours the whereabouts of his granny and the caregiver.
“The neighbours tried to assist in the search, meanwhile other family members were also informed about the matter.
While searching, the neighbours became suspicious when they noticed a coffee table, gas stove and a TV set placed on top of the freezer,” he said
Mdluli said the neighbours removed the items and discovered the lifeless body of the elderly woman inside the freezer.
A murder case has been opened.
Meanwhile, in Vaalbank, a few kilometres from Mmamethlake, a similar incident occurred recently where a 91-year-old woman was severely assaulted by a caregiver hired to look after her.
After the incident, the 45-year-old suspect fled the scene and the matter was brought to the attention of the police, who opened a case of assault with intent to inflict grievous bodily harm.
The suspect, believed to be from Lesotho, was traced and arrested in Pretoria.
She is expected to appear in the Mbibana Magistrates Court tomorrow, where she is expected to apply for bail.
The police have strongly condemned the incident as well as the vicious attack on senior citizens because these incidents once again depict a serious moral decay in the society.
