#LionMama lives in fear
Anti-rape heroes’ woes:
The Eastern Cape woman dubbed #LionMama‚ who no longer faces criminal charges for stabbing to death her daughter’s alleged rapist‚ must overcome a new hurdle: fear of retribution.
There was a sense of euphoria after murder and attempted murder charges were withdrawn on Monday at the Lady Frere Magistrate’s Court.
But now the woman and her daughter‚ who cannot be named to protect their identities fear for their safety.
Buhle Tonise‚ the mother’s legal representative‚ yesterday said that the two women‚ who had been through a traumatic month‚ were worried that relatives of the dead man or members of the community would seek retribution.
“The last time there was a funeral‚ they were burying the one who had passed away.
The mother and daughter felt like they wanted to get away but they couldn’t financially.
“Police officers gave assistance and assured the mother that they would patrol the area‚” said Tonise.
They were worried that relatives angry about the attacker’s death would harm them after the funeral. There is tension in the area over the way he died.
A young woman who raised the alarm‚ telling the mother that three men were raping her daughter‚ is being blamed for the man’s death by his relatives‚ said Tonise.
And the 27-year-old victim of the alleged rape had been tormented by guilt‚ fearing that her mother would be jailed for protecting her‚ said Tonise.
“The daughter wasn’t coping because she was blaming herself.
“In her mind the mother was going to jail because of her.”