Latest news with #ChildJusticeAct
TimesLIVE
a day ago
- TimesLIVE
South Africa's children are under siege — and it's all our baby now
As the country commemorates National Child Protection Week from May 29 to June 5 to raise awareness about the rights of children, we are once again reminded that this moment of reflection is not symbolic. It is urgent. The latest crime statistics from the South African Police Service for the third quarter of the 2024/25 financial year (October to December 2024) reveal a distressing escalation of violence against children. During this period, 273 children were murdered, 480 were victims of attempted murder, and 2,164 suffered assaults with intent to inflict grievous bodily harm. These figures are not mere numbers; they represent young lives lost or irrevocably damaged. They signify a society failing its most vulnerable members. These figures are not abstractions. They are children with names, birthdays, families and futures that will never be realised. They are the silent dead in a country that is becoming disturbingly accustomed to the normalisation of violence. A nation desensitised, a system in decay The high rates of violence against children are not isolated incidents. They are the logical outcome of a deeply unequal society with weakened protective systems and an eroded social contract. Despite a progressive legal framework — the Children's Act, the Sexual Offences Act, the Child Justice Act — enforcement continues to falter. A recent report by our long-standing partner, the Teddy Bear Foundation, found that of more than 5,000 reported child abuse cases from 2019 to 2024, only 4% resulted in convictions. Four per cent! The rest were withdrawn, many due to lack of evidence or absence of witnesses; this is a telling sign of a justice system ill-equipped to protect those most in need of its care. This failure is not technical. It is structural. It reveals a system where the burden to speak, to testify, to prove harm, still rests on traumatised children, often without access to support or protection. What we are seeing is not a justice system working poorly, but a justice system not working at all for children. The statistics are numbing. But the stories behind them are searing. We remember Uyinene Mrwetyana, murdered in 2019 — a case that galvanised a national reckoning and ignited the #AmINext movement. Her murder should have been the turning point. Instead, it has joined a litany of tragedies still unfolding.
IOL News
7 days ago
- IOL News
‘Arrested girls lied about their ages': Police say suspects with stolen Toyota Hilux are minors
Police in Limpopo arrested two teenage girls for possession of a stolen Toyota Hilux GD-6 in Limpopo, while a third occupant of the vehicle escaped on foot. IOL has withheld the names and pictures of the teenagers are withheld to protect the minors' identities. Image: File/SAPS Police in Limpopo have established that two suspects who were arrested and charged for possession of a stolen Toyota Hilux bakkie are minors, who must be charged under the Child Justice Act. On Tuesday, IOL reported that provincial police spokesperson, Brigadier Hlulani Mashaba said the two young women who are in police custody were aged 19 and 20. However, on Wednesday night, Mashaba told IOL that after the story was published, parents of the arrested came forward with birth certificates proving that the two are girls aged 15 and 16. 'On the two ladies, further investigation has revealed that they gave incorrect ages during the arrest. After their families saw their pictures on a released media statement, they came forward and the birth certificates show they are minors aged 15 and 16,' said Mashaba. 'They were supposed to be charged under the Child Justice Act. They will now be placed in a place of safety, while they remain in police custody.' Mashaba said the date for the girls to return to court will be announced in due course. 'I'm still waiting for the remand date,' he said. IOL has withheld the names and pictures of the arrested teenagers, to protect the identity of the children. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ Last week, IOL reported that provincial police spokesperson, Brigadier Hlulani Mashaba said the vehicle was intended to be driven across the Beitbridge port of entry into neighbouring Zimbabwe on 18 May 2025. 'In a coordinated anti-smuggling operation involving SAPS Anti-Smuggling Team, Tshimollo Security and Investigation, and Reflex Anti-Hijacking Security, the officers intercepted a Toyota Hilux GD-6 double cab on the R101 near Polokwane weighbridge,' said Mashaba after the arrest of the duo. 'During the stop, one male suspect fled into nearby bushes, while two female suspects attempted to escape but were apprehended after a foot chase,' said Mashaba. Get your news on the go, click here to join the IOL News WhatsApp channel. Preliminary police investigations have so far revealed that the Toyota Hilux GD-6 was stolen on Friday, 16 May 2025, around Garsfontein in Pretoria East. On Monday, IOL reported that the Polokwane Magistrate's Court has remanded 43-year-old Zimbabwean national Mhlalisi Moyo in custody after he was arrested in Limpopo for possession of a suspected stolen motor vehicle. Zimbabwean man, Mhlalisi Moyo, was remanded in custody by the Polokwane Magistrate's Court after he was arrested for possession of suspected stolen motor vehicle, a Toyota RAV4. Image: SAPS Mashaba said Moyo appeared in court on Friday, and his case was postponed to Thursday, 29 May for formal bail application. Last week, Mashaba said Moyo was arrested during a joint operation comprising the SAPS anti-smuggling task team, Tshimollo Security and Investigation, Reflex Anti-hijacking Security, and Tracker SA. 'The Toyota RAV4 was intercepted at approximately 8 pm (on Wednesday) near Shell Ultra City in Polokwane on the N1 highway,' said Mashaba IOL News
IOL News
7 days ago
- IOL News
Unprovoked attack: Limpopo brothers stoned man to death during tavern drinking spree
Vincent Ramai, 19, was sentenced to 20 years imprisonment while his brother Solomon, 26, was sentenced to life imprisonment for killing a 27-year-old man in June 2023. Image: SAPS The Lephalale regional court in Limpopo has imposed lengthy prison sentences on two siblings found guilty of the brutal murder of a fellow community member at Maeteletja village, situated within the Villa Nora policing precinct in the Waterberg District. Provincial police spokesperson, Brigadier Hlulani Mashaba said the incident occurred in June 2023. Solomon Ramai, 26, was sentenced to life imprisonment, while his brother Vincent, 19, was sentenced to 20 years imprisonment. Mashaba clarified that Vincent was sentenced in accordance with the Child Justice Act because he was a minor at the time of the offence. 'According to court proceedings, the two brothers assaulted a 27-year-old male victim to death using rocks during a night of drinking spree at a local tavern. The attack was unprovoked and carried out with extreme brutality, ultimately leading to the victim's death. The court noted the absence of any remorse on the part of the accused,' said Mashaba. 'Following the incident, swift and coordinated efforts by Villa Nora detectives led to the timely arrest of both suspects. The investigation team, led by Constable Manyaapelo Molekoa, was commended for its diligence and effectiveness, ultimately securing convictions against both perpetrators.' Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad Loading Following their arrest, the brothers were each released on bail of R500, pending trial. Mashaba said the case underscores the effectiveness of the criminal justice system in ensuring perpetrators of violent crimes are held accountable. 'The differing sentences also reflect the court's consideration of Vincent Ramai's age at the time of the crime, in line with the provisions of the Child Justice Act,' said Mashaba. Meanwhile, provincial commissioner of police in Limpopo, Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe, has welcomed the heavy sentences imposed on the brothers. 'These lengthy sentences serve as justice for the bereaved family and a strong deterrent to others who may contemplate committing such acts of violence,' she said. Get your news on the go, click here to join the IOL News WhatsApp channel. IOL News
The South African
24-05-2025
- The South African
Manhunt underway after shooting leaves three dead in Khayelitsha
The South African Police Service (SAPS) is on search for suspects who fatally shot three men in Khayelitsha on Friday, 23 May 2025. Police discovered the bodies of the three men with gunshot wounds in Mbesa Crescent, Site B in Khayelitsha. The suspects fled the scene and remain at large. 'While the exact motive remains unclear, investigators are exploring the possibility that the incident may have been a targeted hit,' read the police statement. The police urges anyone with information to come forward and contact Crime Stop anonymously at 08600 10111. An unknown woman was found dead on Bear Road in Waterloo, KZN on Saturday, 24 May 2025. A passerby contacted Reaction Unit South Africa (RUSA) and informed them about a woman struggling to breathe on the road. Paramedics responded to the scene and pronounced the woman dead. In other related news, two suspects were sentenced to 23 years in prison for the murder and robbery of a 60-year-old Jan Kempdorp farmer. The court sentenced the suspects to 18 years for murder and five years for robbery. The suspects severely assaulted Renier Adrian Jooste, leaving him with a stab wound in the chest. The police statement read, 'The accused fled with valuables including bankcards, cell phones, electrical tools and alcoholic beverages of the deceased.' A multi-disciplinary team including SAPS Provincial Organized Crime with the assistance of the K9 unit and the SAPS Crime Scene Management centre arrested the three men on a chicken farm near Jan Kempdorp. Two siblings murdered a community member at Maeteletja Village, Limpopo. The Lephalale Regional Court found them guilty of murder. According to a police statement, the two brothers assaulted a 27-year-old man to death using rocks in June 2023. 'The attack was unprovoked and carried out with extreme brutality, ultimately leading to the victim's death. The court noted the absence of any remorse on the part of the accused,' said the police. The court sentenced Solomon Ramai (26) to life imprisonment and his brother Vincent Ramai (19) to 20 years in prison. Ramai received a lower sentence due to the provisions of the Child Justice Act since he was a minor at the time of the incident. Do you think that the shooting of the three men in Khayelitsha was a coincidence or there's more to the story? Let us know by leaving a comment below or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X, and Bluesky for the latest news.
Eyewitness News
22-05-2025
- Eyewitness News
NPA wants inquiry into whether 2 teens understand criminal wrongdoing after assaulting peer
JOHANNESBURG - The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) is pushing for an inquiry into whether two teenagers accused of assaulting another had the criminal capacity to understand their actions at the time. On Wednesday, seven teenage girls made a second appearance in the Johannesburg Magistrates Court, following their arrest on Monday, triggered by shocking video footage that spread online. ALSO READ: The clip shows a 13-year-old girl being slapped, shoved, and kicked. The accused, aged between 13 and 15, could all face criminal charges, but only if the State can prove they understood their actions were wrong. Under the Child Justice Act, children under the age of 14 are presumed not to have criminal capacity, meaning they're not automatically held responsible for criminal acts. But prosecutors believe there's evidence to challenge that presumption and have asked the court to test whether at least two of the girls understood the gravity of what they were doing. 'That Criminal Justice Act clearly states that it is presumed that they lack criminal capacity, unless as the State, we are in a position to prove that indeed they do have criminal capacity,' NPA spokesperson Phindi Mjonondwana explained. If the magistrate finds they did have capacity, they could be prosecuted like any child aged 14 or older. While acknowledging the young age of the accused, the NPA said school violence must be tackled head-on and believes it's in the public interest for the court to determine accountability. The case returns to court next Wednesday.
