A 47-year old mother allegedly poured acid over her 14-year old daughter’s face on Tuesday, 22 April.

The woman appeared before the Molopo Magistrates’ Court in Mmabatho on Tuesday, 29 April, on charges of attempted murder and child neglect. The case was postponed to Wednesday, 30 April and again to Tuesday, 6 May, 2025 for a formal bail application.

According to Col. 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 (FCS) Unit established that the mother arrived home at Majemantsho village in the early hours of Tuesday morning, 22 April 2025. She allegedly then requested the child to accompany her to an outside room, where she apparently poured her with acid in the face. Thereafter, the mother took the child to a local hospital.

“The arrest of the mother is not solace and will definitely not erase the pain and trauma that the child victim has been subjected to by a mother, who is supposed to be a guardian, provider and protector. 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 mother suspect, including medical care will suffice. This innocent child is definitely scarred for life physically, psychologically, and emotionally.” The Acting Provincial Police Commissioner, Major General Patrick Asaneng, said.