MINISTER TOLASHE BERATES ABUSE OF CHILDREN AT LAUNCH OF CHILD PROTECTION WEEK
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MINISTER TOLASHE BERATES ABUSE OF CHILDREN AT LAUNCH OF CHILD PROTECTION WEEK
Minister of Social Development Noluzola Tolashe revealed sobering statistics on child abuse at the launch of Child Protection Week held at Refentse Primary school in Thaba Nchu.
Speaking inside the school hall, Minister Tolashe revealed numbers of reported cases of violations of children across the country.
“The country is deeply concerned about the levels of violence against children. The statistics for the 2024/25 financial year, a total of 26 852 cases of child abuse and neglect were reported with Western Cape; Gauteng and Kwa-Zulu Natal having the highest proportion of reported cases with 9577; 5673 and 3653 followed by Eastern Cape with 2448 and Mpumalanga with 1446 reported cases.
1413 cases were reported in Limpopo; 1136 case reported in Free State; North West reported 751 cases and Northern Cape recorded 316 cases,” said Minister Tolashe.
She continued: “Cases of sexual abuse remained dominant in all provinces with 9 859 cases throughout the country. Deliberate neglect is the second most prevalent in all provinces with 9485 cases followed by physical abuse with 3965 recorded cases and 595 cases of abandonment.
Children falling pregnant as young as 10-14 years old is a concern and shows the deep-rooted evil against children who are sexually abused and sexually exploited.”
“Kubi! It is bad” sighed the Minister. Premier MaQueen Letsoha-Mathae said the number of cases of abuse of children in the province was a serious cause for concern.
“By protecting our children, we will ensure that what happened to Ogone Patrick Mpuru, a four-year-old who was stabbed to death, allegedly by her mother’s boyfriend, does not ever happen again. Sadly, our children continue to suffer unimaginable abuse. They have been left on their own and the results are often tragic,” Premier Letsoha-Mathae said.
She also made a reference to a case which has become topical in the province.
“On Monday the 12th of May, Ben Nhlapo and Palesa Mngomezulu will appear at the Reitz Magistrate’s Court after they allegedly left their two children, Amohelang, who was only 18 months old and Bokamoso, who was only six months old, alone and went drinking.
Two precious souls perished in fire as their parents were allegedly out drinking alcohol. This what has become of our society. Our children die horrible deaths all because irresponsible parents put their selfish needs ahead of their children’s safety,” she said.
Kgosi Gaopalelwe Moroka of Barolong bo Seleka was in attendance . Also present was MEC for Social Development in the Free State Mathabo Leeto, as well as her counterparts from Gauteng and Kwa-Zulu Natal provinces Faith Mazibuko and Mbali Shinga.
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