A 19-year-old man has been taken into custody after his grandmother was attacked. The assault was recorded and went viral on social media.

In the 55-second video, a teenager from the Western Cape is seen slapping the grandmother in her face and hitting her head in a kitchen.

The elderly woman falls to her knees before gathering the strength to stand up as the teen, allegedly her grandson, continues to threaten her.

According to the police, the ‘grandson of the victim’ was arrested in Wallacedene, Kraaifontein, Cape Town, where he lives with his relatives. “He is scheduled to make his court appearance in Blue Downs Magistrate’s Court once he has been charged,” a SAPS statement reads.

The grandmother is said to be in hospital for an ailment unrelated to the assault and declined to submit a statement, the SAPS adds.

The police’s initial investigations revealed that the incident occurred last month at the residence of the victim.

“The police were summoned to the scene, but it is said that the family took the matter into their own hands and refused police assistance. The severity of the matter was realised when a video of the incident was circulating on the internet, and on this basis, SAPS intervened and opened a case docket on behalf of the victim.”

The police say investigating crimes against women and children is a priority. – SAnews.gov.za