In yet another brutal attack on an elderly citizen in Vhembe, 80-year-old Ms Annah Ragau was stabbed and left lying in a pool of blood. She was taken to hospital but sadly succumbed to her injuries a few days later.
The shocking incident occurred at Lwamondo Hagelebe on Friday, 13 June. It followed a string of similar attacks on elderly people living alone in the Vhembe region, with other cases reported in Vuwani and Halambani.
A community member, who preferred to remain anonymous, said the grandmother had lived alone but had a helper who visited daily. "What we heard is that the helper left the grandmother's home the previous day, leaving her with a man believed to be a relative. When the house was opened the next day, the grandmother was found in a pool of blood, wrapped in a blanket. There was a knife and rope nearby, and the room had been ransacked," the source said.
The source added that suspicions had fallen on the man claiming to be a relative. "We now suspect that the boy who said he was related to the old woman might be the main suspect. What makes us suspicious is that he has not been seen since the incident," the source said.
The deceased's daughter, Ms Shavhi Ragau Nemuhuyuni, said the family was devastated. "We are torn apart by this. This incident will stay with us forever. We are also living in fear that he might come back to harm us as he is still at large. We are praying that he is arrested and held accountable for his satanic deeds," she said.
W/O Vuledzani Dathi of the Vhembe SAPS said an attempted murder case had initially been opened but later changed to murder, following Ms Ragau's death.
He confirmed that no arrests have been made but the police are actively following leads.
"Investigations are ongoing. Police are requesting that Mbambadzeni Justice Themeli of Ngweni ya Ha Themeli avail himself to the investigating officer as he is believed to be able to assist with the investigation. He should contact Const Rhandzu Mabedle on (079) 849-6309, the Vuwani Police on (079) 890-9814, or any police station," Dathi said.