A TEENAGER has been taken to a place of safety where she is receiving counselling after she survived being burnt, allegedly by her mother.
The 17-year-old girl from Inanda, north of Durban, survived after her mother allegedly poured paraffin over her and set her alight on Saturday.
Fortunately, residents who witnessed the incident reacted quickly by contacting social workers and rescuing the girl. It was not clear why the mother allegedly did this, but residents said she had always been abusive towards her children.
They said the girl sustained burn wounds and was taken to a clinic where she received medical attention. She then went back home where she allegedly suffered constant abuse from her mother.
Following the incident, the Department of Social Development adopted a 365-day programme to ensure that all sectors in society had a role to play to end child abuse.
KZN MEC for Social Development Nonhlanhla Khoza said two girls from this particular home were now in a safe place under the watchful eye of social workers and childminders.
Khoza said the department was going to ensure that child abuse was tackled head on.
“We want to see this mother facing the full might of the law. It must set an example with such parents who believe they have a right to abuse children. We want to see such people getting arrested and serving time in prison.”
She said it was a miracle that the teenager survived, adding that she found joy in the fact that social workers had quickly taken the kids to a place of safety for counselling.
“We are really taken aback by actions of the mother. Nothing can justify her actions to her children. We have also been alerted that some family members tried to conceal this incident after the victim returned from the clinic. They are accomplices as they were hiding a crime. Law enforcement agencies should have no mercy on such individuals involved in any form of child abuse. Anyone involved in child abuse will have to face the consequences,” said Khoza.
She commended whistle-blowers who quickly informed the department, resulting in quick intervention.
“We want to encourage people not to shy away from reporting child abuse. Our social workers and police are available at all times to deal with such cases. Our government has made available different services to take care of and protect children. Should parents find it difficult to raise kids, we encourage them to make use of services availed by the state.”
