A 36-year-old woman from Gauteng was assaulted, allegedly by her mother (54) and brother (21), for refusing to withdraw a case that her boyfriend had raped their 11-month-old baby.

The 54-year-old mother and her 21-year-old son appeared in the Atteridgeville Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday, on a charge of assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.

NPA spokesperson Lumka Mahanjana says the 36-year-old woman’s boyfriend was sentenced to two life terms by the Pretoria High Court for the rape of their 11-month-old baby.

“It is alleged that on March 8 last year, the woman (36), visited her sister in Mooiplaas informal settlements to tell her about the outcome of the case, that her boyfriend had been sentenced to two life terms. Thereafter it is alleged the victim went to a spaza shop to buy crisps. Upon her return, it is alleged she found her mother sitting on the chair just outside her sister’s shack,” Mahanjana explains.

She says the mother then asked the victim about the case, and she replied she was unable to go to court, because she did not have taxi fare.

“However, the investigating officer of the case had called to update her about the outcomes. At that point it is alleged that the mother (54) then started calling the victim (36) stupid, heartless and selfish while assaulting her with a stick all over her body, because she had told her to withdraw the case against her boyfriend a long time ago,” adds Mahanjana.

The brother of the victim, who was also with them, allegedly assaulted his sister with an open hand in her face.

“The victim then managed to escape and ran to the police station where she reported the incident. The two were arrested on March 9 at their residence in Mooiplaas informal settlement.”

The case against the mother and son was remanded to today for a bail investigation.