A call to address child abuse in SA: they are being beaten, burnt and neglected

Following the tragic death of a 4-year-old girl in Eldorado Park, concerns about rising child abuse cases in the country have intensified. Child welfare organisations discuss the alarming statistics, and call for stronger protective measures for vulnerable children.

- NADIA KHAN

THE alleged brutal assault and rape of a 4-year-old girl by her father, has sparked concerns about the rapidly increasing cases of children being abused at the hands of those who are meant to protect them.

The story of the girl from Eldorado Park, south of Johannesburg, who later died in hospital, went viral on social media after her screams for help were captured in a recording - by a neighbour, as they stood outside the child’s home waiting for police to arrive last Wednesday evening.

In the recording, the girl’s cries seemingly get louder each time she is believed to have been hit. Through her muffled words, she can be heard saying “mummy” and “help me”.

Lieutenant-Colonel Mavela Masondo, a Gauteng police spokesperson, said police responded to a complaint on August 6 of a father physically abusing his child.

He said on their arrival at the scene, the officers were pointed to a backyard shack that was closed.

“Upon entering, police found a man with a little boy and a little girl. They noticed that the girl who was sleeping in the bed had head injuries, bruises and a swollen eye.

“The man who introduced himself as the father of the children could not give a clear explanation about what happened to the girl.”

Masondo said the father was arrested and the girl was rushed to a nearby medical care centre, where she later died.

The 31-year-old man, who has since been charged with murder and rape, appeared in the Protea Magistrate’s Court last week. The girl’s mother has also been arrested for failing to protect the child and defeating the ends of justice. They are expected back in court this week.

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Adeshini Naicker, the director of Childline in KwaZulu-Natal, said they continued to see a concerning number of such cases, where children were harmed by those meant to protect them.