Free State Department of Social Development is very shocked by the incident that happened in Maokeng at the Boitketlong Old Age Home in Kroonstad, a privately owned and non-government funded Centre.
Free State Department of Social Development mourn the tragic death of the old woman and condemn this act of malevolence done in its own Province. It is alleged by one of the workers who were on duty on Sunday, 17 July 2022, at about 17h00 when they knocked off from duty, everything was normal in the Centre, leaving the deceased and her roommate in their bedroom the main door was locked.
Only on Monday, the following day, 18 July 2022, at about 17h15, when the personnel reported for duty, she then noticed the body of a female lying outside the building with dogs eating her flesh.
Upon becoming aware, the Department immediately dispatched its social workers to the old age home concerned to investigate the incident and provide psychosocial support to the affected residents of the Old Age Home.
Thereafter, the MEC for Social Development, Ms Matlogomang Qabathe, together with Mayor of Moqhaka Local Municipality, Cllr Motlogeloa Mokatsane, and the District Director of Department of Social Development, Ms Millicent Martins, visited the Centre and the family of the deceased woman.
While the Police are still busy with the investigation, the Department is contacting the families to fetch their members still at the Boiketlong Old Age Home. The Department has begun seeking alternative placements where families cannot be traced or cannot take care of their elderly members.
The Department is also temporarily closing the Centre pending its registration.
As the Department, together with the Moqhaka Local Municipality, we will be assisting with funeral arrangements and psychosocial services for families, affected residents and elderly old people in the old age home.
As the Department: we will keep a close eye on the developments in the police investigation to ensure that those who are responsible are brought to book and face the strong might of the law.
We wish to implore community members who might have information that may assist the Police in their investigation to please contact the nearest police station or contact Lt Colonel Kobus Erasmus at 082 301 2907.
