Winterveld Sangoma, 73, Still Traumatised After Alleged Rape in Her Home
A 73-year-old sangoma from Winterveld, Tshwane, says she continues to live in fear and trauma almost a year after she was allegedly raped in her own home by a young man who kept her hostage for nearly three hours.
The elderly woman, who lost her husband and three children and now lives alone, broke down as she recounted the ordeal.
“I told him to stop because I was in pain, but he continued to rape me. I’m still traumatised,” she said, her voice filled with emotion.
According to her account, the incident took place shortly after she returned from church in 2023. She noticed a man loitering near her yard and, moments later, he jumped over the fence as she stepped outside to use the toilet. The intruder allegedly hid behind her bedroom door before ambushing her.
“He blindfolded me and strangled me with my jersey, threatening to kill me if I screamed. I asked him to take whatever he wanted, but he said he wanted me. He even told me to give myself to him or else he’d kill me,” she recalled.
The sangoma said the suspect held her hostage in her bedroom for close to three hours. After the attack, he fled, taking her cellphone with him. In his rush to escape, he allegedly left behind a cap and takkies.
Police later arrested the suspect in the North West, five days after the attack. Gauteng police spokeswoman Colonel Dimakatso Nevhuhulwi confirmed the case.
“It is a rape case with one suspect arrested and the matter is before the court,” she said.
The man is expected to appear before the Ga-Rankuwa Magistrates Court on Monday, 15 September.
Community members and leaders have voiced their outrage. Democratic Alliance (DA) Social Development spokeswoman Thabisile Vilakazi said the ordeal had left the elderly woman severely traumatised.
“This is so bad. She has nightmares and struggles to face the suspect in court. We want justice to take its course. The man must rot in jail,” Vilakazi said.
For the sangoma, the incident has had spiritual consequences as well. She said she has stopped practising, claiming her ancestors have turned away from her since the rape.
“The evil man almost killed me. I just want justice and for him to rot in jail,” she said.
A Widespread Scourge: Elderly Women Are Not Immune
According to the latest Stats SA and HSRC data, one in three women aged 16 and older has experienced physical violence in their lifetime, and one in five has been sexually abused . These figures translate into millions of South African women affected by gender-based violence, with the HSRC estimating 2.1 million women have been sexually violated at some point dsi.gov.zaIOL.
Rape statistics between 2018–2019 show that while the highest victimisation rates are among younger women, the elderly are also affected: 1,156 women over 60 reported rape during that period, compared to 128 men .
More disturbing, a retrospective study in Mthatha observed that 5.6% of documented adult rape cases involved women aged 65 and older. The rate of rape among elderly women surged from 17.1 to 40 per 10,000 adult women per year between 2007 and 2009 PubMedResearchGate. Alarmingly, 83% of those rapes occurred inside the victim’s home, underscoring how terribly vulnerable elderly women remain, even in supposedly safe spaces.
Summary of Insights on GBV in South Africa
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The country continues to battle one of the highest rates of gender-based violence worldwide. The CSVR notes that 51% of South African women have experienced GBV, and 76% of men admit to ever perpetrating violence .
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On average, 116 rape cases are reported daily, though the actual number is believed to be higher due to underreporting.
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Reporting rates through Stats SA indicate a 4.6% rise in sexual offences, including rape, within recent years .
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Condemning the abuse of elders, the South African government highlighted a horrific instance of a 101-year-old woman allegedly raped in Limpopo, stating such acts “will never be accepted” and promising full legal consequences for perpetrators Government of South Africa.
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