Abuse of 84-year-old probed

THE Department of Social Development has launched an investigation into the assault of 84-year-old Hope Shepherd at the Lily Kirchmann care home in East London.

Labelling the assault by a caregiver as “sick and unacceptable”, the department said officials planned to visit the facility soon.

Shepherd’s assault was caught on a hidden camera in February after her daughter, Bernice Robertson, became concerned by her mother’s unexplained injuries.

The recording showed a caregiver slapping, punching and even kicking Shepherd.

The department’s

investigation brings to three the number of probes into the matter following investigations by the police and the Berea Gardens Retirement Foundation.

Department of Social Development spokesman Gcobani Maswana said: “As the custodians of older persons, we will be visiting the old-age home to investigate the circumstances surrounding the assault.”

He said the department was obliged to act as it encouraged the elderly to live in old-age homes as they were usually safe.

Caregiver Ncediswa Mkenkcele, 40, has been arrested and charged with assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm. She is out on a warning and will appear again in the East London Magistrate’s Court on June 5.