The accused, Nomakhosazana Cynthia Lebea, was implicated via CCTV footage in an incident in which an elderly woman ended up with a broken forearm and a slew of other minor injuries. Not only was Lebea and a second unnamed employee sacked over the incident by mother body Engo, but the former was arrested and faces an assault charge. In her first appearance before the Bloemfontein District Court in May, Lebea was granted R1000 bail and the matter was postponed so that it can be transferred to the Regional Court.

Since Lebea’s firing and case postponement, the victim - 79-year-old Elize Devenish – has since returned to hospital where it was discovered that she had suffered from a stroke around the time of the incident. Devenish was getting treatment for something else when the stroke was discovered.

Lebea is alleged to have gotten into an altercation with Devenish over a tub of yoghurt in the cafeteria on Wednesday, May 22. The altercation resulted in the elderly resident falling and breaking her left forearm in full view of the CCTV camera. The elderly resident was further left lying on the ground for over five minutes without receiving assistance, not even from a passing nurse. The two employees were suspended by the facility as a result and sacked days later.

The 55-year-old woman says she will look into clearing her name.

OFM News