KwaThema – A 67-year-old KwaThema woman appeared in the Springs Magistrate’s Court on February 28 after two orphaned minors who were in her care complained she was abusing them.
A foster parent of one of the children says: “The children do not even have toothbrushes or underwear.”
The foster parent alleges that in addition to the abuse, the children – one of whom is HIV positive – only received a single meal a day.
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“The old lady has a biological grandchild she was supporting with the grant money she was receiving for the orphans, and only giving them one meal a day,” alleges the foster parent.
Following the younger child being allegedly beaten by the woman using a large wooden spoon, she was confronted by the foster parent and the children’s uncle who opened a case of child abuse with the KwaThema Police Station.
The foster parent says while she will be able to get the basic necessities for the child in her care when she receives their child grant, she will not be able to cover other costs as she has recently lost her job.
“We are asking the community to please assist with donations so we can be able to get medical attention for them as the older child has a skin condition and the younger one has injuries from the beating,” she says.
“We would also like to buy them new school shoes and clothes as they have nothing” she concludes.
The case has been postponed to May 10.
Anyone wishing to donate can contact the African Reporter on 011 812 4800.
*Names have been withheld to protect the identity of the children.
