Latest news with #CMRNorth
The Citizen
26-06-2025
- The Citizen
Outrage grows over rising child begging at north intersections
A chilling moment at the R80 and Brits Road intersection has sparked a wave of anger among Pretoria North residents after a small child was seen weaving between vehicles, begging for money with a pink cup, while her mother watched from the roadside. According to a local resident who witnessed the scene, Bernie van Deventer, the child ran past the front of an SUV just as the traffic light was about to turn green. He said the child's head was barely above the bonnet, and if it was a second earlier, the driver wouldn't have seen her and she could have been killed. What shocked Van Deventer even more was the mother's apparent indifference. 'She sat on the side of the road like it was normal. No panic, no urgency, just watching her child play in traffic. 'It's not just heartbreaking, it's infuriating,' he said. These scenes are becoming increasingly common in Pretoria North, Sinoville, and Montana, where residents report seeing children running into the road at peak hours while parents or adult handlers look on. Van Deventer asked why these children were not in school, why no one is stopping this and how many must die before something changes. While the public raises alarm, the metro admitted its powers to intervene are limited. According to spokesperson Lindela Mashigo, the metro's social workers respond to cases involving children in danger only once they are reported, and must follow a strict legal process. 'The removal of children from their parents solely because they are begging does not meet the legal threshold for intervention,' explained Mashigo. He referenced the 2012 C and Others v Gauteng Department of Social Development Constitutional Court judgment, which ruled that social workers must conduct a comprehensive investigation and cannot remove children without a valid legal reason. He said the law does not allow arbitrary separation of children from their parents. 'Begging alone is not enough. There must be proven neglect or danger.' Yet to residents, the danger is clear. The R80-Brits intersection is notorious for fatal accidents. Tow trucks often idle nearby in anticipation of crashes. 'It's a death trap, and we're watching children become part of it. This isn't just poverty, it's neglect. It's exploitation.' CMR North, a designated child protection organisation, agrees. It treats street begging involving children as a combination of neglect, abuse, and exploitation, often linked to deeper systems of informal trafficking. General manager Dr Ronel Aylward said these are not isolated cases of poverty. 'Children are sometimes 'rented' to adult beggars or moved across suburbs to generate income. This is a form of modern-day child exploitation.' The organisation explained that while it is legally empowered under Section 152 of the Children's Act to remove children in immediate danger, it is often hindered by a lack of information, shifting locations, and unco-operative adults. 'False names, fake addresses, undocumented families, we see it all,' said Aylward. Despite these obstacles, she said they respond to every reported case and are calling for more co-ordinated action. 'We need stronger partnerships with SAPS, Tshwane Metro Police, and immigration authorities. But we also need public co-operation. 'Giving money to a child on the street may feel compassionate, but it feeds the cycle. Report it instead.' The metro confirmed that social workers are available across Tshwane regions and offer support, such as food parcels and referrals to Sassa or government departments. However, Mashigo acknowledged it keeps no official record of how many children have been removed from street begging situations, and there is no dedicated team monitoring high-risk intersections like Brits Road. 'The way I see it,' the resident said, 'we're going to see headlines about a child being killed at an intersection, and suddenly, TMPD and politicians will act. But by then it'll be too late. One more life wasted.' Aylward said children belong in classrooms, not at traffic lights. The organisation has called on concerned residents to report any sightings of children begging at intersections. Reports should include the location, time, a description of the child and any adult present, and, if possible, a photograph. 'Your report might be the intervention that saves a life,' it said. Do you have more information about the story? Please send us an email to bennittb@ or phone us on 083 625 4114. For free breaking and community news, visit Rekord's websites: Rekord East For more news and interesting articles, like Rekord on Facebook, follow us on Twitter or Instagram or TikTok. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
IOL News
09-05-2025
- Health
- IOL News
Child protection organisation cautions against public exposure of child victims with some masked as advocacy
Child Protection Organisation (CPO), CMR North, has sounded the alarm regarding a disturbing trend in the public exposure of child abuse victims. The organisation highlights that not every platform is a safe space for children to unpack their trauma, as increasing instances of digital and media disclosures jeopardise the emotional wellbeing of vulnerable individuals. CMR North's General Manager, Dr Ronel Aylward, expressed profound concern about the growing number of individuals and entities utilising media platforms to advocate for child protection cases. While intentions may claim to be rooted in awareness and advocacy, the organisation said that the impact on the child can be profoundly damaging. "We understand the growing public interest in child protection. But not every forum is a safe one for a child's trauma to be unpacked,' Aylward explained. 'We urge all institutions that claim to act on behalf of children to consider the long-term psychological consequences of public exposure. The child's best interest must remain paramount, not the adult's reputation or agenda.' The organisation also cites extensive research revealing that even when a child's name is withheld, exposure to their trauma can lead to re-traumatisation, withdrawal, shame, anxiety, and disrupted emotional development. 'Research confirms that even when a child's name is withheld, repeated exposure to their trauma story can retraumatise them, leading to withdrawal, shame, anxiety, and disrupted emotional development. The National Child Traumatic Stress Network has found that children involved in publicised abuse cases face a higher risk of PTSD, social isolation, and long-term mental health challenges. UNICEF further warns that such exposure can derail a child's recovery. especially when they are still navigating the legal and emotional complexities of their abuse. Children deserve privacy, dignity, and safety, not a public stage.' The CPO also emphasises the legal framework provided by the Children's Act 38 of 2005 that mandates adults to report reasonable suspicions of child danger. This legal imperative empowers designated Child Protection Organisations to act swiftly, even before all details are known, ensuring that children's safety remains the foremost priority throughout legal proceedings. When asked about distinguishing between aiding and harming through social media, the CPO stated, 'The difference lies in intent versus impact. While many people believe they are raising awareness, the unintended impact is often harm, especially when children's stories are shared without full context or consent. True advocacy protects the vulnerable; it does not expose them. If a post identifies a child, implies their story, or invites public speculation, it risks harming the very child it claims to support. Ethical advocacy amplifies the issue, not the individual. When in doubt, ask: Is this in the child's best interest, or is it serving an adult's need to be seen, heard, or vindicated?' Saturday Star
