A 19-year-old teenager seen assaulting his grandmother in a video that went viral on social media last night has been arrested. The teenager, known only as Luvo, from Wallacedene in Kraaifontein, was arrested by the Kraaifontein Police last night.

SAPS in the Western Cape have arrested a 19-year-old suspect who is seen in this video assaulting his grandmother.The suspect was traced to Wallecedene in Kraaifontein on Wednesday evening. He is expected to appear before the Blue Downs Magistrate's Court on a charge of assault pic.twitter.com/ywn6Iy0vp1

— Athlenda Mathe (@AthlendaM) July 4, 2024

The video recorded last month shows the teenager demanding food from his grandmother, who responds by saying, "There is no food for you here." Subsequently, the young man can be seen slapping his grandmother multiple times, causing her to fall on her knees spill the food. The young man went on to warn his grandmother not to be too familiar with him and continued to assault her. "Luvo, why are you killing me in my house. Have you been sent to kill me in my own house. Kill me?' the gogo said while the young man continues to threaten to beat her while pointing a finger at him.

Western Cape police spokesperson Colonel Andrè Traut said the Kraaifontein police registered a case docket last night when the video emerged on social media. "The victim was traced to a hospital where she is being treated for an ailment not related to the assault, but she declined to submit a statement," Traut said. Traut said the police investigations revealed that the incident occurred in June at the residence of the victim and that SAPS were summoned to the scene. "The family took the matter into their own hands and refused police assistance. The severity of the matter was realised when a video of the incident was circulating on the internet. On this basis, SAPS intervened and opened a case docket on behalf of the victim," he said.

Traut confirmed that the suspect is the grandson of the victim. "He was arrested at his residence in Wallacedene last night, and he is scheduled to make his court appearance in Blue Downs Magistrates Court once he has been charged. Crimes against women and children are on top of SAPS' priority list, and we will not be turning a blind eye to any form of violence in this regard," Traut added. The newly appointed Minister of Social Development, Sisisi Tolashe, has expressed shock at the incident. The Minister has asked officials of the department to follow up on the information to make sure that there is justice for the older person. "We need to join hands as families, communities, and society broadly, in ensuring older persons are protected, which should lead to a societal culture of improved reporting and culminate in successful prosecution and the safety of older persons.' said Tolashe.