Violence against children soars despite strong laws

The late former President Nelson Mandela once said in 1997: “Our children are our greatest treasure. They are our future. Those who abuse them tear at the fabric of our society and weaken our nation.”

Almost 30 years later, South Africa’s crime statistics on murdered, missing and abused children remain alarming.

Their lights are dimmed prematurely, way before they can be the future Mandela referred to.

The South African Police Service (Saps) stats for the third quarter of the 2024/2025 financial year indicate that there were 273 children murdered between October and December 2024, 480 attempted murder cases and 2 164 cases of assault with intent to do grievous bodily harm.

Many of these crimes are intentionally or accidentally committed by the children’s caregivers.

Tragic stories of neglect and violence

Just recently, Eastern Cape Saps arrested a mother for her three-year-old child’s death after she left her at home alone overnight while she visited her boyfriend.

According to police records, the 32-year-old Eastern Cape woman found her child unresponsive near the door when she returned.

The mother then allegedly concealed the toddler’s body in a suitcase and travelled nearly 30km via taxi to Mbizana Police Station from her home in Mzamba.

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A few days prior, a Durban mother, also 32, was sentenced to 20 years in prison for the murder of her three-year-old daughter in a fit of rage.

And before that, a Pretoria couple was sentenced to 45 years combined in prison for the murder and abuse of their one-year-old daughter.

Pathology results revealed that the child had been severely abused, with four broken ribs, bruises, and bite marks on her body.

Call to action

Children’s organisation Save the Children South Africa says it’s deeply saddened by these cases.

“These cases highlight the urgent need to strengthen child protection systems at the community level, invest in parenting and mental health support, and ensure early intervention when warning signs of neglect appear,” said the organisation’s CEO Gugu Xaba.

“Any signs of abuse should not be ignored.”

Xaba said it is vital that children’s lives are valued, communities are empowered to act, and services – especially in rural and marginalised areas – are responsive and accessible.

“No child should ever experience abandonment, neglect, or harm at the hands of those meant to protect them,” she told The Citizen.

“We urge the Department of Social Development, Saps, and civil society to work together to strengthen child protection systems, ensure early intervention, and empower communities to act, so that all children can be safe, protected, and able to thrive.”

These tragedies, Xaba said, underscore a number of deep-rooted societal challenges in South Africa.

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The challenges

• Intergenerational poverty and inequality, particularly in rural areas, leave many caregivers without adequate support, resulting in children being left unsupervised or exposed to harm.
• Limited access to early childhood development (ECD) services, parenting support, and psychosocial care in poor communities makes it difficult for caregivers to cope with stress and parent effectively.
• Gender-based violence and social norms that normalise violence often extend to the home environment, where children can become both victims and witnesses. A significant number of child homicides occur within the home environment, often perpetrated by caregivers or family members. Factors such as poverty, substance abuse, and mental health issues exacerbate the risk of violence against children.
• Weak enforcement of child protection systems, despite progressive legislation, creates a gap between law and lived experience—especially where community-based child protection structures are not functioning effectively.
• Stigma and fear of state institutions may also contribute to delayed or inappropriate responses to child emergencies, as seen in this case.
• Gang violence and community insecurity. In areas plagued by gang activity, such as parts of the Western Cape, children are at increased risk of being caught in crossfire or targeted by gangs. The proliferation of illegal firearms and the normalisation of violence in these communities contribute to higher child homicide rates.

“Our partners have reported an uptick in severe cases of abuse and neglect, often linked to poverty, mental health issues, and limited access to support services, especially in under-resourced communities like Mzamba,” Xaba said.

“Save the Children remains committed to working alongside families, communities, and duty bearers to prevent such tragedies and promote the wellbeing of every child.”

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