Cape Town - The teenager caught on camera physically assaulting his grandmother has been provisionally released on warning, subject to certain conditions and restrictions.
Luvo Ngqaza, 19, was arrested on July 3 after a video of the assault went viral on social media.
He was charged with assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm and contravention of the Older Persons Act.
Soon after the incident, his grandmother, Sindiwe Ngqaza, was admitted to hospital for a stroke.
On Friday, the 82-year-old woman testified that she didn’t want her grandson back in Kraaifontein.
She told the Kuilsriver Magistrate’s Court she feared the matriculant.
Sindiwe Ngqaza said: “We had a fight, an argument and he threatened to beat me. And he did, he slapped me, I felt dizzy and fell on the ground. I got up and felt that my left arm, head and ribs hurt. I went to bed and the next morning my left side was numb and I couldn’t move. I was taken to hospital and someone called the police but he wasn’t arrested. He remained in my house until his arrest.”
The granny explained they had fights prior to this incident, but he had never lifted his hand.
“He would threaten to hit me but he never actually did,” she said.
Ngqaza was released even after investigating officer Vuyani September told the court he would be in danger.
“His life is also not safe after the video of the incident went viral and the community is very angry. If he is released, the accused will be dealt with. And after he was arrested he said that he didn’t want to be alive any more, which is why he is in the medical section in Pollsmoor,” September said.
National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) regional spokesperson Eric Ntabazalila confirmed the release of the 19-year-old.
“The Kuils River Magistrate’s Court granted the elderly Kraaifontein woman, Sindiwe Ngqaza, a protection order and released her grandson on warning with conditions which include that he must attend his trial, stay at an address in Bloekombos, must attend school regularly and be placed under house arrest from Friday afternoon until Monday morning. His case is postponed until September 27 and he is released on warning.”
Banzi Dambuza, EFF regional secretary, said they were going to monitor Ngqaza and make sure the warning conditions are followed.
“We will continue supporting the grandmother and we have sent word that people should stay close and look if Luvo truly stays away from the grandmother’s house,” Dambuza said.
Cape Argus