Grandfather of toddler who was burnt with spoon speaks out
MIDRAND – The paternal side of the burnt toddler's family says they want custody of the child and her sibling.
The woman who was arrested for burning her two-year-old daughter with a hot spoon after the child relieved herself on the couch, is out on bail.
Ivory Park Police spokesperson Warrant Officer Neldah Sekgobela confirmed, “According to the investigating officer, the suspect is out on R500 bail and is expected to appear in the Tembisa Magistrates’ Court on 28 July, faced with a charge of assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.”
The little girl has now been taken to a place of safety with her 19-month-old sibling.
A man, who has come forward claiming to be the grandfather of the toddler, revealed to Midrand Reporter that a neighbour had called his wife and told her what happened to their granddaughter. Richard Mabuza said, “The incident made us cry, especially my wife, she could not believe that she [accused] can do what she did.”
Mabuza explained that his daughter once left the child naked at the grandparents’ house in Tembisa. “She left our granddaughter naked and in the care of a nine year-old-child and a friend. She did not even come in to tell us she was leaving the child with us.”
He recalled how neighbours gave the family clothes for their granddaughter. “The following day we went and bought clothes for the child. That evening she came with the police to arrest my son, the father of her child. My son was arrested and lost his job that he had just got a month ago. The following day she returned with police and took the child.”
Mabuza did not disclose details surrounding the alleged arrest.
“We gave her the child, we did not say anything because the police did not want to listen to us. We are asking for help from anyone who can help us get our granddaughters. We will be very pleased if we can get our granddaughters back,” he pleaded.
“We want to take care of them, give them the love that they are missing from their parents. There is nothing that can make us happier than to have our granddaughters come live with us.”
Following the incident, Midrand Reporter spoke to the Department of Social Development’s spokesperson Mbangwa Xaba. He said, “A child can be removed and be placed in a temporary place of care with the provision that there are reasonable grounds for believing that the child is in need of care and protection. The parents or guardian of the child must be informed and, at the first available court date, police or social workers must inform the Clerk of the Court about the removal and circumstances surrounding the removal.”
Xaba stressed that the Child Protection Act also makes a provision for the removal of the alleged offender in terms of section 153 from the home or place where the child resides, and the safety and well-being of the child is their first priority. Investigations will then continue and be concluded.
Onica Mahlaba, a social worker from Cresset House, a residential and work facility for adults with intellectual disabilities in Midrand mentioned, “A reunification can be done only if the abuser is being removed from the home of the child, foster care placements usually carry on to protect the child until the age of 18.”
Details: Ivory Park Police Station: 011 990 9600.
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