A 27-year-old woman of Thabong Village in Waterpan appeared in the Westonaria Magistrates’ Court on Monday, 10 May for allegedly abusing her own child.
According to Sergeant Linkie Lefakane, the Bekkersdal Police spokesperson, the woman was arrested for brutally hitting, dragging and assaulting her child in full view of the community recently.
“During the arrest, the police discovered that the child had been abused before. The woman was immediately charged with child abuse,” Lefakane said.
She added that child neglect and abuse were of great concern in areas around Bekkersdal, and urged parents to take better care for their children.
“There are parents who abandon their children. When they go out drinking, they leave them without food or anyone to care for them.
“People need to know child neglect and abuse are serious offences, and are punishable by law. By doing this, parents are running the risk of Child Services taking their children away from them,” Lefakane warned.
