A mother of two was arrested at her Greenhills home on Tuesday, 2 April, on charges of child abuse.
Sergeant Carmen Hendricks, the Randfontein Police spokesperson, confirmed that a 27-year-old woman was arrested for child abuse and assault with intent to do grievous bodily harm.
“The police went to the house situated at Rosewood Flats in Greenhills after a case docket was opened against the mother for abusing her children. The complainant informed the police that he had received a phone-call about the abuse from his step-children’s school teacher,” Hendricks said.
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He was informed that the children were badly burned and was asked to come to the school immediately. Upon his arrival, he spoke to the teacher who informed him that the children, aged five and seven, were not coping at school, and were very scared.
“It was said that the mother burned the children with an iron during the school holidays. The children, who were staying with the mother at that time could not talk to anyone until they got to school today. It was found that the stepfather does not live with them and that the mother kept the children away from him.”
Hendricks said that the children were taken to a hospital to receive medical attention and were handed over to Randfontein Social Workers for their safety.
“A docket of child abuse and assault with the intent to do grievously bodily harm was opened against the suspect and she was arrested. The suspect will appear in Randfontein Magistrates’ Court soon,” she concluded.
Brigadier Mashole Jacob Manamela, the Randfontein station commander said that he wants to send a strong message to the public stating that it is very hard to imagine someone intentionally hurting a child.
“Children may feel trapped because of the power the abusers have over them. That is why it is important to be able to recognise the signs of child abuse and to report it,” he said.
