Social Development MEC “horrified” by toddler being mauled to death by dogs
While the MEC for Social Development, Mapula Mokaba-Phukwana has expressed her condolences to the mother, she has condemned the incident, saying children are not supposed to be taken to taverns or any places where liquor is consumed, in the first place.
POLOKWANE – The MEC for Social Development, Mapula Mokaba-Phukwana has learned with shock of the death of a toddler in Mahwelereng Zone 1.
This comes after little girl was savagely mauled by dogs on Saturday evening, after her mother took her along to a tavern in Zone 1 Mahwelereng outside Mokopane.
Read more: Toddler (3) dies after being savagely mauled by dogs at a tavern in Mahwelereng
Police reports suggest the girl was sleeping unattended in a separate room and apparently woke up and went outside where she was attacked by dogs. Bystanders tried to intervene but the child was certified dead on arrival at the hospital.
The MEC, horrified by the incident, has once again plead with parents not to be negligent in child care and safety. She expresses her condolences to the mother, but at the same time, she condemned the incident and says it could have been avoided if the child was attended to at all times. “Children are not supposed to be taken to taverns or any places where liquor is consumed, in the first place,” the MEC said.
In a separate incident, police in Dennilton, outside Groblersdal, have arrested a 19-year old boy for kidnapping and raping two minors in the Dennilton area.
Read more: Man (19) arrested for kidnapping and raping two minors in the Dennilton area
The following day, the victim’s parents, accompanied by the community, went with the victim to the said RDP house and on arrival, they found the suspect raping the other victim. The suspect ran away but the community gave chase, caught him and handed him over to the Dennilton Police.
MEC Mokaba-Phukwana has condemned this “horrid act”, especially on the eve of National Child Protection Week, starting on 28 May 2019.
“Child care and protection starts with parents and it is simply not safe to leave young children unattended for any length of time,” she said.
She has also encouraged parents to teach their children about stranger danger and not to trust anyone. She further pleads with parents to create a safe environment for their children and to encourages children to report any abuse towards them.
The Department’s social workers will be offering counseling and support to the families affected in the above-mentioned incidents. The Department will also offer family preservation and parenting skills and the MEC has encouraged families and individuals to make use of these services to avoid future tragedies.
