Rescued elderly woman found dead

By Emily Setona

QWAQWA – A close family member has confirmed that the 63-year-old elderly woman who was rescued from a river was found dead in a water stream the day after she was discharged from Elizabeth Ross hospital.

According to a close family member of the deceased, the 63-year-old woman was discharged from Elizabeth Ross hospital during the afternoon of Monday 9 September and left in the care of her son. In a turn of events the family member disclosed that unfortunately on the very same day after being discharged from the hospital neighbours alerted the family that they saw the elderly lady wondering off on her own. It was mentioned that the elderly lady suffered from mental health problems and was prone to wondering off for hours on her own. The family immediately contacted the police and reported her missing.

On 10 September the police were alerted of the body of an old lady that was discovered in a water stream near the public park in Makwane.
“The old lady’s family were called, and it was confirmed that she was indeed the old woman who was rescued from the river a few days back,” spokesperson of the Free State SAPS Captain Loraine Earle said to this publication.

Police divers during the rescue of the 63 year old elderly lady days before she was later found dead in another body of water.

Police reports had previously stated that on 7 September at about 05:45, the police in Phuthaditjhaba were summoned to Namahadi after an elderly woman was seen floating in the river near an old single bridge. The elderly woman was seen floating face-up by members and was rescued from the chilling water by members of the police. Emergency medical personnel were called to the scene and the old lady was transported to the Elizabeth Ross Hospital and was discharged to the care of her son on 9 September 2024 in the afternoon. In a sinister turn of events the 63-year-old lady has now been confirmed as deceased and the Makwane police have opened an inquest for further investigation.