Acting KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Transport, Community Safety, and Liaison, Mr. Kwazi Mshengu has directed police to leave no stone unturned to ensure that those responsible for the constant abuse and assault of an 8-year-old child, allegedly at the hands of a stepmother, face the full might of the law.
MEC Mshengu was commenting after members of the South African Police Service’s Family Violence, Child Protection, and Sexual Offences Unit rescued the child and transported him to the hospital for urgent medical attention yesterday. This follows the publishing of gruesome pictures of a badly bruised child from Mehlomnyama area, under Ugu District Municipality on the South Coast, that are currently circulating on social media networks.
It is alleged that the child had become a victim of constant abuse and assault in their household.
MEC Mshengu commended the police for arresting the alleged perpetrator. He said police will work closely with social workers in the Department of Social Development to ensure that this case receives priority.
“We have tasked police to secure justice for the minor victim and for detectives to put together a watertight case to ensure that the arrested perpetrator is harshly dealt with. We will continue to improve and intensify the combatting, prevention, and investigation of crimes against women and children. Importantly, we commend the member of the public who did not turn a blind eye to this case but timeously reported the matter because abuse of women and children in a societal challenge that requires active citizenry so that it can be dealt with decisively as police cannot do it alone. We are pleased that after being discharged from the hospital the victim is being housed in a place of safety where he will receive care and psychosocial support while police continue with their investigation,” added MEC Mshengu.
MEC Mshengu echoed Social Development MEC Mrs. Nonhlanhla Khoza’s sentiments in calling for the public to stop circulating the disturbing pictures of the victim on social media as the matter was receiving attention and it is illegal to publish pictures of a minor.