Gogos around Malamulele were given whistles as part of fighting the increased raping of children and elderly people in the area.

This follows after two grannies, aged 82 and 66, were recently raped in the Malamulele area.

The incidents have sparked differences among residents about the safety of elderly people. According to the head of crime prevention in Malamulele, Col Chawa Solomon Serekwana, the police had taken a decision to provide elderly women with whistles. When they are attacked, they can make a lot of noise to inform their neighbours. “We are also worried because in most of the cases where the grannies were raped, they were staying alone,” said Serekwana.

Gogo Nyanisi Maluleleke (79) of Phaphazela village said the move by the police would help to keep them safe. Granny Mithavini Chauke (74) said they lived in fear because when they listened to the radio, they heard about numerous murders and rapes.

Meanwhile, the police have arrested a suspect in connection of the rape of the two gogos in Elim.