Pensioner case: state considers next move

Pensioner case: state considers next move
January 2011 By Matthew Sheldon


AN affidavit relating to the 81-year-old Cape Town woman who was locked in a windowless room for almost a year, allegedly by her son, has been presented to a State public prosecutor. Photo: Supplied

An affidavit relating to the 81-year-old Cape Town woman who was locked in a windowless room for almost a year, allegedly by her son, has been presented to a State public prosecutor.

The Department of Social Development advised the Afrikaanse Christelike Vrouevereniging (ACVV) last week to file a complaint against the woman’s son.

An ACVV social worker found the woman locked in a small room in Brooklyn. She was allegedly only being fed every four days.

Shanie Boshoff, chief executive of the ACVV, confirmed that the documhad been was handed over to a state prosecutor at the Cape Town Magistrate’s court yesterday.

“We are now waiting for the prosecutor to get back to us and inform us whether there is enough evidence to prosecute the woman’s son,” said Boshoff.

The social worker went to the Brooklyn home on January 3 after she had been told that it seemed all was not well with the woman, who was living with her son.

Having entered the house under police escort, the social worker found the woman locked in a room at the back of the property, without running water or electricity.

It later emerged that the woman had been locked up for about 11 months.

Steven Otter, spokesman for Social Development MEC Patricia de Lille, said on Tuesday that the social worker and the relative who instigated the rescue had since helped the woman change her banking pin and take control of her finances.

The allegation that her son had withdrawn her money for his use without her permission would certainly be included in the investigation, he said.

“After studying and validating the report by the social worker, we sent an urgent letter to (the ACVV) requesting that (the social worker) open a case,” Otter said.

“The ACVV has assured the department that they have spoken with the National Prosecuting Authority and requested a meeting with the public prosecutor, where the evidence will be presented.”

The woman, who according to the social worker’s report is 81, is now living at a care centre. She was admitted to the centre on January 5 and has her own room, an en suite bathroom, and a window with a view.

Otter said the first time the social worker arrived at the old woman’s home (January 3), she had assessed the situation and before leaving, she contacted an old age home to discuss a possible emergency admission and made an appointment with the Child and Family Health Centre, for a doctor to examine the her.

“When the social worker went back to the old lady the next day (January 4), the doctor examined the elderly woman, and on the same day, the old age home, which had been contacted the previous day, called to confirm admittance of the woman,” said Otter.

According to the report, she weighed only 38kg when she was found.

Otter said the report had also revealed the woman had been initially sceptical about leaving her room, but was eventually convinced by her concerned relative to come out.

The Department of Social Development says prosecution is a crucial part of dealing with the scourge of neglect and abuse of all vulnerable people.


matthew.sheldon@inl.co.za