Durban - A Hillcrest granny is badly injured in hospital after a relative – in a desperate bid to get his hands on his inheritance – allegedly convinced a “massive” man to try to murder her.
Katherine Walshe, 76, sustained multiple broken bones to her face and body, bruises and lacerations after she was repeatedly struck on her face and choked earlier this week.
The attacker, who was said to be so big it took seven policemen to subdue him, gained entry into her house by crashing through the front gate and breaking open the front door.
The relative hid in a bedroom cupboard while the woman was attacked. Her attacker struck her repeatedly in the face as he demanded a copy of her will.
After an almost 10-minute ordeal, Walshe fell unconscious and the suspect fled.
Private investigator Brad Nathanson, who was hired by Walshe’s family to find the suspects, said they were arrested on Wednesday night. The relative was arrested in Hillcrest and the other suspect at Westville Hospital, where he was seeking treatment for depression.
Nathanson said: “Seven policemen could not hold the alleged hitman down. He resisted arrest. He is a massive guy and put up a big struggle before we could cuff him.
“Judging by his size, I am amazed that Katherine survived the attack.”
He said the relative had injured a policewoman when he tried to flee from Hillcrest police station.
Nathanson said the relative had been hitchhiking from the Waterfall area to Hillcrest when the suspect stopped to give him a lift.
“The two got talking and the relative told the other suspect that he stood to gain an inheritance from his granny, including her house.”
He said the suspect then offered to buy the house for R750 000.
“The two ended up spending the entire day together. The relative told the suspect they needed to get the will from Walshe. He allegedly told the man to do whatever it took to get the will from her.”
He said the suspect then drove the relative to Walshe’s home and dropped him off. He returned a short while later and attacked Walshe.
Walshe’s daughter-in-law Janny, said her mother-in-law’s condition was stable. She said it was unclear who had alerted police and called the ambulance.
“She was badly assaulted and has been in high care. It is a relief that both these thugs are behind bars. We are just praying that Katherine makes a speedy recovery.”
She said the relative had been living with Walshe after his mother abandoned him and moved to Australia.
“He has a string of cases opened against him, from housebreaking to possession of dagga. In fact, over the years he has sold almost every moveable object from the house.
“They were out to kill her. But Katherine is a strong woman, she survived. I doubt she will ever return to that house.”
KwaZulu-Natal police spokesman Captain Thulani Zwane, confirmed the incident and said investigations were continuing.
