A woman (47) who allegedly poured acid over her 14-year-old daughter’s face on April 22 appeared in the Molopo Magistrates’ Court in Mmabatho, in the North West, on Tuesday, on charges of attempted murder and child neglect.

Potchefstroom Herald reports that the case was postponed until Tuesday for a formal bail application.

According to Colonel Adéle Myburgh, provincial police spokesperson, police initially received a call from the mother who informed the police that her 14-year-old daughter had poured acid on herself and was admitted to a local hospital.

Investigations by the Mmabatho Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Unit established that the mother arrived home at Majemantsho village in the early hours on April 22.

She then asked her daughter to accompany her to an outside room, where she allegedly poured acid over her face. She took the teenager to a local hospital.

“The arrest of the mother is not solace and will definitely not erase the pain and trauma that the child has been subjected to by a mother, who is supposed to be a guardian, provider and protector,” says acting provincial police commissioner, Major General Patrick Asaneng.

“This incident requires the active involvement and collective responsibility of government and civil society in dealing with the precipitating and predisposing causes of social fabric crimes against children, women, the elderly and vulnerable in society.

“No amount of punishment or sentence meted out to the suspect (mother), including medical care, will suffice. This innocent child is scarred for life physically, psychologically and emotionally,” he adds.

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