Former South African president, Nelson Mandela once said, “There can be no keener revelation of a society’s soul than the way in which it treats its children.”
As we look within ourselves and how we treat our children, the Provincial Commissioner of the SAPS in Mpumalanga, Lieutenant General Mondli Zuma, is calling on community members to be more vigilant with their children.
The General’s plea emanates from recent incidents involving children at Mmametlake and Emzinoni.
The first incident took place on June 19 in Emzinoni, when two-year-old Siphumelele Thulani Ndhlovu went missing. At the time of his disappearance, his mother had gone for a bath, while the youngster went out to play.
When his mom finished bathing, she grew concerned when she could not see him. She immediately began looking for him, with the assistance of her neighbours. After their search proved fruitless, a missing person’s case was opened. The matter is now being investigated by the Family Violence, Child Protection, and Sexual Offences Unit (FCS).
In the second incident which occurred on June 20 in Mmametlake incident, a two-year-old girl died after being hit by a car reportedly being driven by her mother.
According to the SAPS, the 42-year-old mother started her vehicle to move it out of the garage. During the process, she bumped the child. Upon hearing a thumping sound, the mother immediately stopped the car to investigate.
To her horror, found her child lying motionless nearby.
Medical personnel, as well as the police, were called to the scene. However, the toddler was certified dead at the scene. A case of culpable homicide was opened and is being investigated.
Lieutenant General Zuma has urged parents and caregivers to take extraordinary precautions to ensure the safety of their children, as to avoid tragic incidents.
