Johannesburg - Another tragic incident involving a child has been reported just a few days after the start of the 16 Days of Activism for No Violence Against Women and Children Campaign.
A 5-year-old girl's body was discovered at her uncle's house on Pendu Street in Kwanonqubela, Alexander, after police were notified by the suspect (uncle) about an assault at his home.
Police say 5-year-old Siphesihle Xhali was found lying on the lounge floor, brutally battered.
The child’s mother had dropped her off at her father’s house in the same area at about 2pm on Friday, and later he left the child at a neighbour’s house.
Provincial Police Commissioner Lieutenant-General Nomthetheleli Mene has condemned the brutal killing.
"It is alleged that at about 05:40 this morning, police were alerted by the suspect (the child’s uncle) of a person being assaulted at his house. On arrival, detectives found the brutally battered body of a 5-year-old girl lying on the lounge floor. The suspect was very drunk and incoherent to give an account of what had happened. The victim, Siphenathi Xhali, sustained multiple wounds on her body," Mene said.
"It is suspected that she was murdered with a spade, which was later found in a neighbour’s yard. The child was taken during the early hours of this morning from the neighbour’s house. It is alleged that the child’s mother had dropped her off at about 2pm on Friday at her father’s house in the same area. The father, in turn, left the child at the neighbour’s house."
It is also revealed that a post-mortem will be conducted to verify the suspicion that the child may have also been raped.
"The 43-year-old suspect is detained on a charge of murder and is expected to appear in the Kenton-On-Sea Magistrate’s Court early next week. Pending the results of the post-mortem report, an additional charge of rape may be added," the police said.
This tragic incident happened recently after the July to September crime statistics were released which showed that 294 attempted murder dockets involving children were opened and are currently being investigated by the SAPS.
Between April and June, 243 children were murdered, and another 306 children under the age of 17 were killed between January and March.
Additionally, between April and September this year, 1 895 gender-based violence (GBH) cases involving children were reported.
Mene has stated that the brutality of GBH is extremely concerning. "It is alarming that communities fail to protect our children. Many are killed by the people they know, love and trust. These people are cruel and heartless and must be dealt with decisively, more especially when it comes to women and children.
“Such tragedies are extremely disturbing, especially when the country is commemorating 16 Days of No Violence Against Women and Children. It is time that everyone unites to end this devastating social ill in our society," added Mene.
The Star