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A young woman’s life came to an abrupt end after she was brutally attacked in the small town of Luckhoff. She was allegedly raped, and a passer-by found her lying in the graveyard, unconscious.
Elvira Syster (23) died in the Pelonomi Hospital on Sunday, 31 March – a week after she had been attacked on Sunday, 24 March.
Capt. Loraine Earl of the SAPS confirmed that the young woman has passed away.
The Luckhoff police arrived at the scene in the graveyard where Syster had been found at about 05:00 on 24 March, after having received information from a passer-by about a half-naked, unconscious woman lying there. The police found her lying on her back, with multiple bruises to her face and head.
Emergency personel were called to the scene and Syster was taken the Pelonomi Hospital in Bloemfontein in a critical condition, whereafter she passed away on Sunday.
Earl said a 25-year-old suspect had been arrested on 25 March and appeared in the Luckhoff Magistrates’ Court on Thursday, 4 April, applying for bail. Bail was denied and he will appear in court again on 9 May.
A childhood friend of Syster, Stevonai Steenkamp, says her friend’s life was stolen.
“She was so young.”
Steenkamp says the community of Luckhoff wants justice for Syster.
“It is as if the rest of the country ignores small towns and farms in the Free State, while horrible things are happening here,” she says.
“We want people to know about Elvira Syster and what happened to her.”
According to Steenkamp, Syster is believed to have been raped by three or more men who had been in jail awaiting trial next month.
Earl said the police could not comment on this, as an investigation is underway.
Anyone with information on the case is urged to contact the Smithfield Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences unit on 082-301-3081, or to dial 08600-10111. Anonymous tip-offs can also be made on the My SAPS app.
