Women care workers face court over alleged elder abuse in Welkom

Six women, once trusted caregivers, now stand accused of abusing an elderly woman. They appeared in the Welkom Magistrate’s Court for alleged assault.

Police spokesperson, Sergeant Palesa Thabana, said the incident occurred on July 7, where an 81-year-old elderly woman residing at a retirement care centre in Dagbreek, Welkom, was allegedly assaulted and badly injured by the caregivers of the facility.

According to Thabana, a complainant known to the police alleged that Lynnette Brummer, the manager of the retirement centre, called to say the elderly woman was refusing her medication. However, upon arriving at the facility, the complainant found the victim with visible injuries and blood on her face, hands, and arms.

"The victim had blood and visible injuries on the face, hands, and arms. She was allegedly discovered to be under extremely wet and cold conditions."

Thabana added that police found a roll of black duct tape at the scene, stained with blood, which was allegedly used to restrain the elderly woman.

"It was revealed how the employees of the retirement village badly handled the victim. Investigations revealed how the victim's hands and neck were tied with duct tape and her face covered. Police confiscated a roll of black duct tape as well as pieces of duct tape with traces of blood on them," she added.

Thabana revealed that police swiftly apprehended four of the six women on July 9, charging them with serious offences including attempted murder, assault with grievous bodily harm, kidnapping, and violations of the Older Persons Act. The final two suspects were arrested days later.

"Further investigations led to the arrests of Ntswaki Mofolo (30) and Puseletso Moloi (33) on Monday, 14 July 2025. They made their first court appearance on July 15 in the same court. They are facing charges of assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm (GBH) and contravening Act 13 of 2006 of the Older Persons Act," she said.

All six suspects — Anna Fourie (73), Lynette Brummer (64), Mapaseka Majorobella (35), Nomsa Ngcongwane (55), Ntswaki Mofolo (30), and Puseletso Moloi (33) — remain in custody. The case is set to resume today, 16 July, in the Welkom Magistrate’s Court.

The Star