The ANC wished party MP Sue van der Merwe a speedy recovery after she was assaulted during a robbery at her home.
|||Cape Town - The ANC wished party MP Sue van der Merwe a speedy recovery on Monday after she was assaulted during a robbery at her home in Cape Town.
“The office has been in contact with her and can confirm that she is currently recovering at home after being discharged from hospital,” African National Congress Chief Whip Mathole Motshekga said in a statement.
Van der Merwe, 58, was attacked in her home in Rondebosch just before 9pm on Friday.
Motshekga commended police and the security company, ADT, for their swift reaction.
“We are confident that the police will leave no stone unturned in ensuring that the culprits are arrested and face the full might of the law,” he said.
Earlier on Monday, Van der Merwe's brother said she was recovering.
“She is recovering well from her injuries and will be returning to her parliamentary duties in the near future,” Gordon Young said in a statement.
He said ADT and the police responded rapidly to the situation, and that the police were investigating various leads.
According to a report, two men assaulted and throttled Van der Merwe until she lost consciousness, but fled when her son arrived home.
However, Young denied his sister lost consciousness.
“No, no, she didn't lose consciousness,” he said.
“Sue van der Merwe and her family are grateful to them (ADT and the police) and to the many friends who have offered support.”
Van der Merwe worked for the Black Sash in Cape Town from 1988 to 1991, The Times reported.
She became an MP in 1996 and served as deputy minister of foreign affairs from 2004 to 2009. She was a parliamentary counsellor to the president from 2001 to 2004. - Sapa