DURBAN - THE Department of Social Development (DSD) in KwaZulu-Natal says it is extremely concerned about the recent child murders in the province.
This comes after Asimbonge Shongwe, 6, and her sister, Sandakahle Manana, 14, were found murdered in Ulundi, northern KZN, last week.
“We are very concerned about the number of incidents happening in KwaZulu-Natal. We have been at the forefront as a department, together with the relevant stakeholders, to lead campaigns that address the abuse of children, women and the LGBTQI+ community,” said Memela.
He said that the rate of children being killed as a result of parental disputes was disturbing.
Memela added that the department was running programmes with stakeholders to address disputes and provide psychosocial support to families.
He encouraged community members to also protect children.
“It is not a governmental responsibility alone, it is a societal problem that requires all of us to deal with it. We would also like to see the community responding correctly to the programmes that we have as the DSD. We all have a responsibility to protect children,” said Memela.
Regarding the murders of the sisters, provincial police spokesperson Colonel Thembeka Mbele said charges of murder and kidnapping were being investigated by Ulundi SAPS.
“It is alleged that on March 3 at 7pm two girls aged 6 and 14 were kidnapped by a known suspect in Ulundi,” said Mbele. She added that Asimbonge was found strangled and with assault injuries on March 4, while Sandakahle’s body was discovered on March 6.