An Eastern Cape woman charged with the murder of a man who allegedly raped her disabled daughter is set to appear in court next week.

The mother was arrested after reportedly attacking the 65-year-old man when she allegedly found him on top of her daughter.

MEC for Social Development in the Eastern Cape, Bukiwe Fanta has called for criminal charges against the mother to be dropped.

In a statement, Fanta said that the woman’s action should be viewed in the context of a mother trying to protect her child from assault.