JOHANNESBURG - Gauteng MEC for social development Thuliswa Khawe on Monday said there can be no justification for killing or abandoning children at birth.
Khawe was reacting to a report in a daily newspaper about the body of a newborn baby that was found wrapped in a woman’s skirt, near a stream at Roodekop Squatter Camp, Ekurhuleni on Friday. The body was found by a metal collector.
"I am concerned about the increase in a number of abandon cases in this area, last week another body of a newly born baby was found. The prevalence of these types of crimes committed against children are very shocking. This is saddening because it cannot be justified. We want to deter these kinds of criminal acts against children from reoccurring," said Khawe.
The MEC said that government had been working with non-governmental organisations to make it possible for anyone with child-rearing problems to receive assistance.
"The Gauteng department of social development provides a home to unwanted babies. As government, we also provide reproductive health services at primary health care facilities."
"We want to call on the public to stop these criminal acts against children," said Khawe.
Khawe added that anyone experiencing problems related to an unwanted pregnancy could contact the Gauteng department of social development.
The MEC urged police to do all in their power to bring perpetrators of violence against children to book.