The widow of Andries Tatane, the Ficksburg community leader and teacher who died, allegedly at the hand of the police during a service protest last year, is living in fear.
Rose Tatane yesterday said criminals had broken into her Meqheleng township house twice in a month. Household goods have been stolen and she fears that the criminals will come back.
"I am living in fear as I don't know what these robbers will do the next time they break into my house," she said.
Andries Tatane's beating by the police was captured by television. Since his death Rose has been staying alone and thugs have taken advantage.
On December 24 Rose said she was in a deep sleep because of anti-depressant medication she has been taking since Tatane's death, when thieves broke into her house.
"I didn't hear anything as I was fast asleep," she said. "I was shocked when I woke up the next morning to find that my house had been burgled."
She said the thugs stole a DVD player, CDs, DVDs and her clothing, and also drank wine.
Last week, she says, her house was burgled again, with thieves this time stealing more clothes.
"I spent the night at my mom's place with my kids and when we came the next day we found that the house was broken into again."
Ficksburg police have confirmed that a case of housebreaking and theft has been opened and that no arrests have been made.
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