Cape Town -
The ministers of justice and police have called on communities to take responsibility and do their bit to stop the abuse and killing of children.
The call was made before a National Assembly debate – “working together as communities to ensure the safety and security of women and children” – set for .
This follows the recent killings of four toddlers in a month in Gauteng.
Diepsloot toddlers Yonalisa and Zandile Mali were found dead in a public toilet near the dump site where the body of toddler Anelisa Mkhondo had been discovered weeks earlier. In Katlehong, toddler Keabetswe Tshabalala was raped and hanged.
A man is understood to have confessed to the rape and murder of the Mali cousins, and is under investigation for Mkhondo’s killing.
Justice Minister Jeff Radebe said yesterday the abuse of women and killing of children showed “something wrong is happening”. Given the sense of shock, an independent judiciary “must make sure the sentence meets the gravity of the crime”.
“As law enforcement agencies we are not there (in the home) where a malume (Zulu for uncle), or stepfather is abusing a child. The duty is to report it,” Radebe said, adding that this must be done not through “mob justice, but by reporting to (the police)”.
Police Minister Nathi Mthethwa said he had been travelling the country to urge communities to “take responsibility for their children” as part of an awareness campaign involving the SAPS.
“Children who are abused are also neglected by their parents… This can’t be just a policing matter. This is a societal matter. People should take responsibility,” he said.
Most of the crimes were committed in people’s homes by known persons.
Radebe said: “The duty of protecting our children and the elderly against abuse, neglect and exploitation cannot be left to the government alone. The primary responsibility lies with parents, guardians and the community.”
Political Bureau