Carlo Petersen
A 55-YEAR-OLD Swellendam woman is in a critical condition in Tygerberg Hospital after she was attacked, allegedly by a 16-year-old boy, on her birthday.
Marlize Claasens celebrated her 55th birthday on Tuesday and was watering her garden when she was accosted.
Swellendam resident Craig Blease, 52, who described himself as a “good friend” of Claasens, said she called him shortly after the attack.
“Somehow she crawled into her house and managed to call me. She could barely speak over the phone. When I got there it looked ghastly. She was full of blood and barely conscious,” he said.
Claasens also had a large gaping wound across her stomach, he said.
Blease revealed that Claasens’ home had been burgled and ransacked two weeks before Tuesday’s attack.
He said Claasens was in a critical condition and had undergone an operation on her stomach yesterday.
Police spokesman Andre Traut said:
“We can confirm that the circumstances surrounding the attack on a 55-year-old woman in Swellendam are being investigated. A suspect aged 16 was arrested yesterday (on Wednesday) and is due in court on a charge of attempted murder.”
Ronelle Dunn, a neighbour and close friend of Claasens, told the Cape Times that Claasens worked from home as a porcelain and ceramics restorer.
“She’s well-known in the community and loved by all. She always helps whoever she can with her work and could never put a foot wrong. It’s sad that something like this would happen to her, but it’s not an isolated incident because things like this happen every day in this country. Marlize is strong physically and mentally and will bounce back from this.”
Dunn said the 16-year-old was known in the community.
“He has been seen around town and has been in and out of juvenile facilities for a long time,” she said.
Attempts to reach Claasens’ family were unsuccessful.
Tygerberg Hospital communications officer Laticia Pienaar said: “We are unable to obtain consent from the patient to provide any information pertaining to her medical condition…please respect her rights.”