Kamogelo Olaitan
This week marks National Child Protection Week, and statistics continue to show that South Africa’s most vulnerable group are being murdered and abused in increasingly high numbers.
Headlines across the country are dominated by heartbreaking stories of child abuse, and too often at the hands of those charged with protecting them.
Some of the children find themselves in family disputes and end up being victims of their own parents.
In February this year the SAPS released statistics which showed that 352 children were killed between October and December 2021.
Police Minister Bheki Cele also made shocking revelations that child murders increased by 31.7% year-on-year.
Only last week three siblings from Ratanda were poisoned and killed allegedly by their father as he doubted paternity of one of them.
That happened only two weeks after the mutilated body of Bontle Mashiyane was found dumped in a ditch allegedly by her neighbour and her boyfriend. They have since been arrested and are awaiting their next court appearance.
In Manyatseng village, Free State a nine-year-old boy is fighting for his life in hospital after his 51-year-old grandmother allegedly stabbed him several times after a quarrel.
On Tuesday, a 26-year old mother from KwaZulu-Natal was arrested for strangling her one-year-old baby to death and poisoning her nine-year-old son.
In the same province a 13-year-old Thobani Khambule from Mbazwane was killed and his head found inside a pit toilet far from his home.
No one knows why the boy was killed in such a brutal manner while the country celebrates Child Protection Week.
Save the Children CEO, Steve Miller said the organisation was horrified by the senseless killing of children and the increase in attempted murders of children.
“Each of these children that were killed, were robbed of the chance to live and robbed of their futures. They have left grieving family and loved ones. One child murdered is one child too many.
“Violence against children must not, cannot be tolerated. We need to work towards ensuring that no children are murdered in our country in the coming year,” Miller said.
Who to call for help?
To speak to a social worker for any assistance or counselling you can call toll-free number 0800 428 428 or dial *120*7867# (free) from any cell phone for a command call.
Childline South Africa: 0800 055 555
Child Welfare South Africa: 0861 4 CHILD (24453) / 011 452-4110 / e-mail: [email protected]
Teddy Bear Clinic: 011 484 4554
