Nathi Goma: "It is unfortunate that parents suffer in silence, but this is an actual issue and the more we do not talk about it the more it continues to take place."
Residents speaks out on parental abuse by their own children.
Nontobeko Hlatswayo: “The root of this is the upbringing. Parents are spoiling their children way too much to a point whereby they can no longer discipline the child and the child becomes too demanding.”Manesa Mokoena: “Nobody actually wants to talk about it because we as parents believe or sugarcoat it by using the puberty stage as an excuse. What I have seen in most cases is the emotional and financial abuse by children of their parents.”Vusi Mahlangu: “I am against such behaviour and the painful thing is that parents normally take it in and do not seek help because they are scared of being judged.”Sibongiseni Jokojokwane: “That’s quite rare. Well, I haven’t come across anything like that, but I do think that when your child is coming across as being abusive there has to be a reason.”Lepekola Lepatsi: “Parents need to work hand in hand with social workers. Nowadays children are exposed to a lot of negative things and unfortunately they end up misdirecting their anger towards other people.”Isayah Mokgoga: “It actually exists. I think awareness about it should be created because this in a way also contributes to the gender-based violence we are currently trying to fight it.”Agata Moropeng: “I think there’s a thin line between a stage and abuse. We have all been there whereby your emotions get the better of you, but that should never be an excuse for any kind of abuse.”