A 19-year-old from Wallacedene, Kraaifontein, Cape Town, who was arrested for beating and pushing his gogo, is allegedly suicidal.
Luvu Gqaza was seen assaulting his grandmother in a viral video on social media last Wednesday, leading to his arrest on the same day.
He made his first court appearance on 5 July at the Kuilsriver Magistrates’ Court.
NPA spokesman Eric Ntabazalila said that the case against Gqaza has been postponed until 12 July for a bail application.
“He is charged with assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm and contravention of the Older Persons Act. The state will oppose his Schedule 1 bail application,” Ntabazalila said.
Gqaza’s defence asked that he be held in the hospital section of Pollsmoor Prison due to suicidal tendencies, a request the state did not oppose.
Western Cape SAPS spokesperson, Colonel Andre Traut, reported that the victim, also from Wallacedene, is currently in hospital for an unrelated issue and has declined to give a statement.
Traut said the incident occurred in June at the victim’s house.
“SAPS were summoned to the scene, but apparently the family took the matter into their own hands and refused police assistance,” Traut said.
Following Gqaza’s arrest, politicians from different parties visited his home.
An anonymous political party member said that the family was shocked by the spreading of the video and learned it was released by an extended family member.
They were also told that Gqaza’s father, the last remaining child on his grandmother’s side, passed away in April.
Resident Lulama Zoko, 45, supported the decision to release the video to the public.
“We all need extended family members who won’t hide bad things happening in our families,” said Zoko.
“He should have been arrested the same day he laid his hands on his grandmother. Losing his father is not an excuse to assault elderly people. The grandmother was also under a lot of stress from losing her last remaining child. He must be kept in jail.”
Pictured above: Screenshot of the video.
Source: File
