Two women appeared in the Tembisa Magistrates’ Court for neglect of three minors, in separate cases, on 12 September.
Ivory Park Police spokesperson, Captain Bernard Matimulane said in one of the cases, one of the children, almost three years old, was allegedly bitten by rats after the mother left her and her four-year-old brother alone while she was visiting the children’s father, overnight. Matimulane revealed, “The women, aged 22 and 36, were arrested on Friday after members of the community witnessed first-hand the situation these helpless toddlers found themselves in.
“The other woman was found by passersby beating her child in the street next to the Themba Khoza Informal settlement.” He stated that members of the community went after the woman but she managed to flee.
“A member of the community brought the child, also two years old, to the police station and she reported the matter to the police.”
He mentioned that the community brought the plight of these children to the attention of the police after they were found by themselves; and both cases have been handed over to the police’s Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Unit for further investigation.
“Two of the children have been taken to a place of safety, while the one who was been bitten by the rats, was taken to hospital for treatment. Ivory Park Police Station commander, Brigadier David Mbongeni Ngcobo, thanked the community for their vigilance, and firmly believes that it’s these types of interventions from the community that will keep children safe at all times,” concluded Mbongeni.
Details: Ivory Park Police Station 011 990 9600.
