child abuse Archives - Voice of the Cape

Child-on-child abuse: More times than not perpetrators continue the cycle of abuse

By Loushe Jordaan Gilbert Society usually perceives sexual offending as crimes committed by adult men against women, and/or children of both sexes. Those who commit sex offenses against minors and younger children are often believed to be paedophiles, but this is not always the case. Unfortunately, juveniles themselves are also responsible for committing serious sex offenses against other minors, and on the Cape Flats this has become more prevalent. Following […]

28 March 2024

Local

State revises Makaluza’s charges from child abuse to attempted murder in hot water incident

The State has revised the charges against Asanda Makaluza, accused of pouring hot water on a child in Langa, on the Cape Flats, to attempted murder. Makaluza appeared in the Bishop Lavis Magistrate’s Court where she was denied bail. According to National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson Eric Ntabazalila, the original charge against the suspect was assault with the intent to cause grievous bodily harm. However, due to the severity of […]

15 July 2023

Local

Family of Gr 9 pupil who committed suicide plans legal action against school

The family of a Grade 9 learner who died from suicide after being teased by a teacher are planning to take legal action against PJ Simelane Secondary School. They told Eyewitness News that the school is protecting the teacher in question. This comes after 15-year-old Tiro Moalusi took his own life on Tuesday after a teacher mocked him over his sexuality in front of the whole class. The Gauteng Education […]

21 August 2022

Local

WC couple sentenced for child murder, abuse and neglect

The high court has thrown the book at a Western Cape couple for child murder, abuse and neglect. Taswell Louw will serve 18 years behind bars for the murder of three-year-old Jeremiah Speak. His wife Renzia will serve a five-year jail term for child abuse and neglect. Renzia was Jeremiah’s mother and Louw his stepfather. The couple were sentenced in the high court in Cape Town on Tuesday. The court […]

22 June 2021

News

Legal obligation to report child abuse: expert

A child rights expert has emphasised that failing to report sexual abuse against children is a criminal offence. It comes on the heels of a widely circulated video alleging sexual abuse perpetrated by two well-respected brothers in the Bo-Kaap community, which family members were reportedly made aware of. Now in her 20’s, the alleged survivor said she was groomed from a young age and detailed how the abuse escalated. Child […]

5 November 2020

Local

Women and Men against Child Abuse calls for heftier sentences for child abusers

Women and Men against Child Abuse says it would have liked to have seen a heftier sentence for the woman caught on camera assaulting three children at a creche in Carletonville, west of Johannesburg. Nelly Senwametsi (42) was sentenced to 5 years behind bars by the Oberholzer Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday. Senwametsi had been convicted on two counts of assault and one count of assault with intent to cause grievous […]

14 October 2020

Local

World marks International Children’s Day

The United Nation Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has called on governments, particularly those in Africa, to invest more in programmes and campaign that promote children’s rights. The agency’s call comes as South Africa joins governments across the globe to mark International Children’s Day on Friday. Currently, programmes against the abuse of children account for less than one per cent of African government’s annual expenditure. UNICEF social policy analyst Micah Huijbregts says […]

1 June 2018

Local

Father charged with child abuse after throwing baby off roof

The Joe Slovo community is standing behind a 38-year-old man who flung his child off the roof of his home. The man appeared in the New Brighton magistrate's court on a case of child abuse. The one-year-old was caught by a member of the metro police. The toddler was not harmed and is with her mother and social workers are keeping a close eye on the family. Police spokesperson Captain […]

16 April 2018

News

Mixed reaction to spanking ruling

By: Najma Bibi Noor Mahomed South African parents have been left torn after the South Gauteng High Court in Johannesburg ruled that parents will no longer be able to use the defence of ‘reasonable chastisement’ if they are later accused of assault. Judge Raylene Keightley handed down the judgement that has been met with mixed reactions. Various child rights organisations have welcomed it however the decision has been criticised by […]

24 October 2017

child abuse

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