Support grows for mom who killed daughter’s rapist

Campaign to raise legal fees launched

South Africans are rallying behind the Eastern Cape mother who allegedly stabbed a man to death after she caught him and two other men apparently gang-raping her 27year-old daughter.

The woman, from Lady Frere, was arrested a week ago. She appeared in court last week and was released on R500 bail. Social media users said she should not face murder and attempted murder charges and labeled her a “hero”.

A crowd-funding campaign had by 6pm yesterday raised about R26 000 towards helping her with legal fees.

The fundraising campaign refers to the mother as #lionmama. “If the charges are dropped or a lawyer is willing to work pro bono, the money will go towards trauma counseling for the family, or any other needs they have,” wrote organiser Natalie Kendrick. The campaign is currently aiming to raise about $2500 (about R33 000).

One Facebook user, Zenani Zindziswa Mbeki, said all mothers and fathers “should do this to evil bastards who rape their children”.

“She should not go to jail! She should be commended for her heroism,” Mbeki wrote.

Zoe August agreed: “Not condoning violence, but if you grew up in the village you know the fight a hen will put even against a hawk to protect her chics. A mother has to do what she must to protect her children (sic).”

Shandukani Omphulusa Mulaudzi said it was painful to know that a woman had to defend herself against three men with a knife and ended up becoming a killer.

Emma Amelia Kai Potgieter said she hoped the mother would get renowned former public prosecutor Gerrie Neltype of lawyer because one of the men was allegedly stabbed while half-way out the window.

“... if courts ran on emotion she would be okay – truthfully she won’t get out of this one ... The people, the women of this country need to get given (sic) some power against scum like those men.”

Corinne Knowles wrote: “this story is so satisfying, even though I thought I was a pacifist. It shows an alternative kind of justice system – the mother first tried SAPS (no reply), then the village headman (who went to SAPS), and then she went to find and protect her daughter. A kind of justice has already been served.”

Law expert Professor James Grant said the money raised would not be enough.

“If she gets an advocate or attorney with five years experience, she will be looking at a bill of about R20 000 a day.

“Given the facts in this case, it could be a serious test case in our laws,” Grant said.