ANGIE Mafatshe (17) was killed and her body dumped on the side of the road in Matshelapata informal settlement in Tarlton, Gauteng in July 2022.
Tiro Moalusi (15) died by suicide in August 2022 after a teacher in Soweto teased him in front of his peers for being gay.
Palesa Malatji (17) from Soshanguve in Tshwane was found sexually violated and killed in May 2023 at a nearby secondary school.
These are just a few children whose lives have been cut short.
As the country sheds light on Child Protection Week from 28 May to 4 June, mourning parents are reminded that although there's improved laws to protect children's rights, kids in Mzansi are still being killed.
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Speaking to Daily Sun a year after Tiro's death, his aunt Masingita Khosa said the entire family is still heartbroken since losing her nephew.
"Tiro's life was cut short because of a teacher who used such vile words towards him by calling him 'abuthi ngwanyana'. He had a bright future. He wanted to be a doctor because he was just so smart and the school can attest to that. They robbed us.
"For us to heal we need to know what will happen to this teacher. Yes, Tiro will never come back, but something has to be done," she said.
Masingitha is not the only one searching for answers or for someone to be held accountable for their loved one's death.
Palesa’s family, community and parents are demanding justice.
Her uncle, Thabiso, told Daily Sun: “We are living in a broken society, where people don't value the life of a person. The SAPS failed us. We could have found Palesa while she was still alive”.
Recent crime statistics revealed that between January and March 2023, at least 245 kids were murdered, while 360 was recorded for attempted murder and 1 931 for assault with grievous bodily harm.
Police Minister Bheki Cele said 360 more attempted murder cases were registered and they involved minors.
“Between January and March this year, less children were killed in South Africa compared to the same period last year. One child murder is one too many and the South African Police Service must strive for zero tolerance on the murder of children,” he said.
Youth development organisation, Afrika Tikkun Group, highlighted that the failure to raise children in a safe, productive environment, leaves the future to perish with a generation that was never protected.
“Child Protection Week should not just be about raising awareness about child abuse, neglect, and exploitation. It should be about organised action against these evils and creating holistic solutions that unite people towards the common goal of improving the lives of children to grow them into adults who can lead SA to a brighter future,” said Afrika Tikkun Group CEO Marc Lubner.
