LIMPOPO – The 14-year-old girl detained by the police for throwing her baby (6 months) into a pit toilet was denied bail by the Bolobedu Magistrate’s Court today (Monday).

The minor was arrested over the weekend after a passerby saw what she was doing and called the police.

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In a statement, the ANC says the fact that the girl fell pregnant at the age of 13 suggests that by law, such constitutes statutory rape.

“Our view is that authorities in the health facility where the birth took place should have assisted the child to open a case with the police,” says Provincial Secretary, Nocks Seabi.

Seabi went on to say that they believe the social workers in the area should have assisted her and her guardians with both counselling and opening a case.

The ANC has also called on the Bolebedu community to sharpen their parental roles, to unite and act against the abuse of children, women and other vulnerable groups within the area.

“The Bolebedu area has in recent past, emerged as one of the areas with very high levels of teenage pregnancy,” Seabi stated.

He therefore called on the Bolebedu community, law enforecement agencies, civil society structures and all sector departments to develop a common programme of action to root out the abuse of children and women.

“The ANC in Limpopo calls on residents throughout the province to speak in one voice in condemning the abuse of women and children and act decisively to protect them from abusers,” Seabi concluded.

According to the spokesperson for the Department of Social Development, Adele van der Linde, the baby will be taken to a place of safety and the 14-year old mother has been assigned a probation officer.

“As soon as the court hearing is concluded, she too will be taken to a place of safety for children in conflict with the law,” Van der Linde concluded.

raeesak@nmgroup.co.za