Suspect arrested for strangulation murder of elderly woman in EC

Eastern Cape Police have arrested an 18-year-old suspect for strangling a 91-year-old woman to death, and attempting to kill her daughter at Ncokazi Locality, in Bityi.

Police Spokesperson Welile Matyolo say the suspect attacked the elderly woman while she was asleep in her bedroom and then proceeded to the second bedroom, where he attacked the second victim.

A scuffle ensued between the second victim and the suspect but he managed to flee.

Matyolo says the suspect was found by the community and handed over to the police.

“The victim immediately summoned her neighbours for assistance. The suspect is known to the victim, and local residents started searching the neighbourhood and found him. The elderly woman (91) was declared dead at the scene, and the suspect was arrested and charged for murder, with an additional charge of attempted murder. He is due to appear in the Bityi Magistrate’s Court on Monday, 16 September 2024 to face charges of murder and attempted murder.”