Woman stabbed sex beast to death and seriously injured two others when she caught them ‘gang raping her daughter’
Brave mum is dubbed 'Lion Mama' after coming to the rescue of her daughter
A WOMAN who stabbed a sex beast to death and seriously injured two others when she caught all three allegedly gang raping her daughter has been told she will no longer face a murder charge.
Prosecutors in South Africa revealed that two other charges of attempted murder have also been dropped after ruling that there was no realistic chance of a successful prosecution.
The woman who had been dubbed "Lion Mama" for saving her daughter from the three alleged rapists won public acclaim after taking the law into her own hands.
But there was a huge public backlash when prosecutors charged her — sparking a campaign to fund her legal fees.
Two lawyers even offered their services for free to defend the woman — who cannot be named for legal reasons as her daughter is the victim of a sexual crime — after the incident in September.
But yesterday at Lady Frere Magistrates Court in Eastern Cape province the National Prosecuting Authority announced that all charges against her were being officially dropped by the state.
I could not believe it. Even the one who had died - I doubted that he could do something like this
Mum of victim
NPA spokesperson Luxolo Tyali told News24: "The docket was referred to the senior prosecutor and based on the evidence in the docket she declined to prosecute the case against the woman".
She confirmed there was not thought to be any realistic chance of a guilty verdict.
The two surviving men have been charged with rape and will be in the same court on Wednesday.
A neighbour alerted the mum that her 27-year-old daughter had been dragged at knifepoint into a derelict house by the trio, prosecutors said.
The distraught mother said she repeatedly called the police in her Eastern Province village but it rang out with no officer picking up.
In desperation she picked up a kitchen knife and her friend led her to the property where she could hear her daughter's cries and she burst in and found her daughter half-naked.
She stabbed the three alleged attackers repeatedly until they collapsed.
The 56-year-old mum said she lashed out as she feared the men would kill her after the alleged rape to silence her.
She told Independent Media: "When I arrived I asked the men what they were doing because they were all naked", she claimed.
“I was armed with a knife to protect myself. I stabbed the first one, stabbed the second one and also stabbed the third while he was trying to run away", she said.
The woman said she stabbed them because she was worried of what could have happened to her daughter, adding: “She could have been killed."
A South African Police Service source said the blood soaked mother comforted her daughter until the police were contacted and arrived and paramedics came to treat her victims.
One man, Zamile Siyeka, was pronounced dead at the scene at his two alleged accomplices Xolisa Siyeka and Mncedisi Vuba were rushed to hospital suffering from serious injuries.
After being freed, the woman told News24: "All I wanted was to protect my daughter.
"I could not believe it — even the one who has died, I doubted that he could do something like this.
“I am really saddened by this. In fact, this is what is really killing me spiritually inside."
But she has been left humbled by the support she has received, adding: "It means there are a lot of people out there with good hearts who are on my side.
"I would have thrown myself to a lion to protect my daughter, and I am sure many mothers would have done the same.
“I truly appreciate all the support I have been getting. It has made me strong,” she said.
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