19 year old male held in prison hospital due to suicide threat after a video of him beating elderly woman went viral
2 min read
The 19-year-old male, Luvo Gqaza caught on video allegedly beating an 82-year-old woman will be held in the hospital wing of Pollsmoor Prison, for fear that he may take his own life. The video which went viral on social media showing the elderly woman being beaten, falling to the floor on her knees and following a verbal altercation has since sparked widespread outrage. This incident took place at the 82 year old woman’s home in Wallacedene in Kraaifontein and the video was widely condemned.
The Kuils River Magistrate’s Court has ordered that Luvo Gqaza be moved to the hospital wing after he reportedly told the investigating officer that he was contemplating suicide. This comes after the court matter has been postponed to 12 July for a bail application, while the NPA spokesperson Eric Ntabazalila said the State intends to oppose bail.
He said one of the reasons for opposing bail is the nature and extent of the injuries suffered by the woman.
The teen faces charges of assault with intent to do grievous bodily harm, as well as the contravention of the Older Persons Act.
Ntabazalila added that the victim is still receiving medical treatment.
He said: She is still in hospital and is fearing for her life.
Outside the court, a handful of EFF members gathered to protest against the assault. EFF regional secretary Banzi Dambuza claimed that the accused asked a relative to record him assaulting the elderly woman. Dambuza said Luvo wanted the video to be seen. That is why we has no sympathy for this young boy. Luvo wanted people to see this and that there appears to have been a history of abuse.
Kraaifontein police upon learning about the video, traced the woman to a hospital where she was being treated for an ailment not related to the assault.
Police spokesperson Colonel Andrè Traut said that while the woman declined to submit a statement, police proceeded with a case of assault against the 19-year-old.
He said the assault took place in June at the victim’s home, but the family had declined police intervention at the time.
