A man is expected to appear in court on Monday after he allegedly strangled a 79-year-old woman in Cofimvaba in the Eastern Cape with an electric cord.
Col. Police spokesperson Sibongile Soci says thanks to prompt action by detectives, a 35-year-old man was arrested at Woodhouse near Cofimvaba on Saturday around 5pm.
Cofimvaba is about 80 km east of Queenstown.
A neighbor found the deceased’s body early Saturday morning in her home. She lived alone.
According to Soci, the neighbor immediately called the police and a task force, led by Capt. Litha Mfundisi, began following up on clues and also received input from the community to track down the suspect.
“The 35-year-old man was arrested and will appear in the Cofimvaba Magistrate’s Court on Monday, July 20, on a charge of murder,” Soci said.
The Eastern Cape Police Commissioner, Lt.Gen. Liziwe Ntshinga praised the prompt work of the officers. She also thanked the community for their cooperation.
“Crime against women and children remains our top priority. “The detectives will oppose the suspect’s bail,” she said.
The Eastern Cape MEC for safety, Weziwe Tikana-Gxothiwe, described the incident with shock and said it happened on Mandela Day, a day meant to do good things in the community.
“This (the arrest) is what happens when the police and the community work together to get quick results,” said Tikana-Gxothiwe.
“However, it is sad that it cost the murder of an old woman for this collaboration to happen. I wish it could be prevented. “
Tikana-Gxothiwe warned the community that any murder, especially of an elderly woman, would not be tolerated. She called on the police and communities to work even closer together to prevent a similar incident from happening.
“We will not allow the elderly and vulnerable of the community to live in fear. We call on all young people to protect these people and not to be the ones who use violence against them. “
