Mom 'brutally killed disabled daughter's rapist' after finding pair getting dressed

A single mother in South Africa allegedly took matters into her own hands when she beat the man who raped her disabled daughter to death - but she has now had the murder charge officially dropped.

The courtroom erupted in cheers as prominent officials and locals celebrated the decision, with some referring to the 44-year-old mother as "Warrior Woman."

At the time of the incident, when the mother returned from shopping in the Eastern Province, she discovered her 20-year-old daughter was missing.

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Neighbors informed her that her daughter was last seen walking with a 65-year-old local man toward his house.

When she arrived at the scene, she found her daughter undressed at the man's home. A group from the neighborhood followed the woman—whose identity remains confidential to protect the victim—and entered the suspect's small holding.

South African Police spokesperson Captain Yolisa Mgolodela said: “The woman caught the man and her daughter getting dressed and asked her what had just been happening.

“The victim pointed down to her private parts, and the mum, assisted by residents, attacked the man who was allegedly beaten to death, leading to the arrest of the mother.

“The assault by the mother and the community on the alleged perpetrator left him so badly injured that he was declared dead at the scene when an ambulance arrived.”

She was released on bail and appeared before the Cacadu Magistrates’ Court on Monday. Following huge public support, the National Prosecuting Authority formally withdrew the charge.

The mother told News24: “I thank everyone who supported me since the incident and my subsequent arrest and the withdrawal of the charge means I can now help my daughter.

“I will now have the strength to focus fully on her well-being as she has been emotionally distressed by what happened to her as a doctor has confirmed that she was raped."

Even more tragically, the 44-year-old had earlier revealed that the rapist was a family friend.

She said, ”I cried and asked this man what he was doing to my disabled daughter, who cannot even speak for herself, so defending her myself was the only option I had."

South African prosecutors announced the dismissal of two more attempted murder charges, determining that a successful prosecution was highly unlikely.

Eastern Cape Premier Oscar Mabuyane and Social Development Minister Bukiwe Fanta supported the mother in court.

Fanta said: "The mother’s actions were viewed within the context of a desperate attempt to protect her child from the hands of a violent predator."

Initially, there was public outcry when prosecutors charged the mother, igniting a campaign to fund her legal fees.

Eastern Cape Premier Mabuyane said: “We commend the NPA for its sensitivity and careful consideration of the extreme circumstances that led to this case.

“The decision reflects a compassionate understanding of the context and the instinctive protective actions taken by a mother in a moment of unimaginable desperate trauma."