Woman, 90, found stabbed to death in flat

A 90-year-old woman was found dead inside her flat after being stabbed to death in an apparent botched robbery.

The police maintain that the motive remains unknown, but said cabinets inside the house were ransacked.

Hester Rudman’s body was found lying in the bedroom doorway of her flat in Lange Street, Penford, Uitenhage.

Police spokesperson Sergeant Majola Nkohli said the flat door was open and there were no signs of forced entry, but it was not known whether anything was stolen.

“At about 9am on Thursday it is alleged that a neighbour, walking past [Rudman’s] noticed the security gate and a door standing open.

“She called inside and became suspicious when there was no response.

“The neighbour then went inside and found Rudman’s body lying at the door to her bedroom and called the police,” he said.

“[Rudman] had a stab wound in the upper body.

“No motive for the attack is known.”

Nkohli said detectives were still alerting relatives to determine whether anything was missing from the flat.

When The Herald visited Vince Court in Uitenhage, the area appeared completely deserted.

Residents who spoke about the attack were scared to answer the door.

Security features at the entrance of the block of flats are non-existent.

Shanice Alberts, 25, whose flat is above Rudman’s, said Rudman was always willing to help those in need.

“She was a wonderful lady, always willing to help.

“She always gave the poor something to eat. She made sure the yard was tidy,” Alberts said.

“She was [so] full of life. I cannot believe she is [gone].”

Alberts said some people Rudman had helped had stolen items and money from her ground floor flat, but this did not stop her from doing good.

“If you needed something, you’d go to her and she’ll help.

“There has been a string of break-ins in her [flat],” she said. “I no longer feel safe. “I cannot open the door because I feel someone is going to attack me,” she said.

Neighbours said Rudman had lived alone in the flat since her husband died a few years ago.

A resident, 31, who did not want to be named, said he had not at first been aware that there had been murder, and was surprised when he saw police cars and a forensic team at the premises on Thursday.

“I was standing in my balcony when I saw guys taking photos. I knew something was wrong.

“It’s very dangerous around here.

“My wife and I both work night shift, and she is now scared to go to work by herself,” he said.

The man and his family have lived in Vince Court for the past 18 months.

He said he was concerned about lax security arrangements there.

Anyone with information can contact Detective-Warrant Officer Josua Victor on 083455-1853.

‘The neighbour went inside and found Rudman’s body lying at the bedroom door’ Sergeant Majola Nkohli

POLICE SPOKESPERSON