Papi Petros Motaung was arrested in December last year, about two weeks after the attack.
Police spokesperson Lieutenant Zweli Mohobeleli said detectives from the Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Unit opposed bail in the Bethlehem Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday.
Motaung and an accomplice allegedly broke into the 67-year-old victim’s home through a window on December 12 last year.
“She was covered with a blanket, hit with a blunt object, raped and left unconscious. Alcohol, two cellphones, cash, two DVD players and discs were taken from the house. About two weeks later, the elderly woman succumbed,” Mohobeleli said.
Police arrested Motaung at a nearby farm, where he was hiding.
He will appear in the Bethlehem Magistrate’s Court on March 21.
The second suspect is still on the run. Police have appealed to anyone with information to contact Detective Captain Aron Mbele of Bethlehem FCS on 082 336 7760.
