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Daily Maverick
2 days ago
- Daily Maverick
Attacks on children — the scourge of violent crime affecting SA's most vulnerable
As South Africa enters Child Protection Week, recent high-profile incidents of violence against children cast long shadows over advocacy efforts. For every such crime spotlighted by media or civil society organisations, many others appear to go unnoticed and unpunished. 'Mother sentenced to 20 years' imprisonment for murder of three-year-old.' 'Teacher sentenced to life imprisonment for rape of a learner in class during school hours.' 'Two life sentences for a father who exploited his daughter in a child pornography operation.' 'Gang members sentenced to 35 years for child murder.' These are lines from National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) media releases issued in recent weeks. There have been more than 25 statements involving child victims in the past month alone. The crimes against the children in these cases have been heard and deliberated on in a court of law, but for many minor victims of murder, attempted murder, sexual offences and assault, justice remains out of reach. As South Africa enters Child Protection Week (29 May to 5 June), recent high-profile incidents of violence against children cast long shadows over advocacy efforts. These include the cases of Joshlin Smith, whose whereabouts remain unknown after her mother and two others were convicted of kidnapping and selling the then six-year-old in the Western Cape; and *Cwecwe, a seven-year-old girl from the Eastern Cape whose alleged rape has yet to be taken on for prosecution by the NPA, due to 'insufficient evidence' in the case docket originally presented by the police. Statistics – lessons and limitations The South African Police Service's (SAPS) annual crime reports show a rise in reported cases of certain contact crimes against children in recent years. Between 2021/22 and 2023/24, the number of recorded child murders rose by 383, from 1,273 to 1,656. In the same period, attempted murders rose by 442, from 1,371 to 1,813; and cases of assault with intent to do grievous bodily harm rose by 196, from 7,575 to 7,771. The total reported sexual offences committed against children dropped by 1,542 between 2021/22 and 2023/24, from 23,379 to 21,837. These statistics are shocking, but they are only one part of the story. They don't show the unreported cases, the social ills that leave children vulnerable to abuse or the scars that survivors of childhood violence are made to bear for a lifetime. Luke Lamprecht, head of advocacy for the Gauteng-based nonprofit Women and Men Against Child Abuse, noted that in cases such as crimes of sexual violence against children, the number of incidents reported to police were only a fraction of those shown to be occurring through research. 'A lot of people don't go to the police, and that's for lots of very complicated reasons – largely because of a lack of faith in the system, which I believe to be the primary reason. Then there's obviously issues like threats and inaccessibility,' he explained. 'Of those that were reported, we're getting a conviction rate somewhere in the vicinity of… between 4% and 7%… That translates into the amount of people on the sex offender register.' The challenge of using SAPS statistics as an indicator of crime levels against children was that the numbers were often 'simply a measure of the amount of faith people have in our system', continued Lamprecht. 'In fact, if the stats decrease it's a bad thing. It means less people are reporting – because I can guarantee you, it's not that less children are being abused,' he said. It is difficult to determine whether there has been a rise in violence against children without a recent nationally representative survey, according to Professor Catherine Ward, director of the Centre for Social Science Research at the University of Cape Town. 'Service providers find increases for a variety of reasons, sometimes for good reasons where parents are reporting,' she said, adding that violence against children was an ongoing problem in South Africa. Escalating brutality against children Some children's advocates reported observing increases in certain forms of violence against children in recent years, based on their organisations' engagements with victims and cases. Patric Solomons, director of the nonprofit Molo Songololo in the Western Cape, said there appeared to have been an increase in the number of 'very violent crimes' against children, including those involving children committing crimes against other minors. Molo Songololo provides direct support and social services to children who are victims of crime, including sexual violence and trafficking, in Atlantis, Delft, Beaufort West and the surrounding areas. 'We also find that there is an increase in particular kinds of crime as things shift and change within society. For example, at the moment, one of the things that we see is that access to children [is] not only on the physical level… but also online… Online crime has increased as more and more children have access to devices… They can access people, and people who intend to harm them also have access to them,' he explained. 'We found that in certain areas where there's high levels of dysfunction and violence in general, and also organised gangs, there tend to be spikes when crime happens… These spikes often increase when there's a rivalry among gangs.' Lamprecht echoed Solomons's concerns about the dangers of internet access for children, highlighting the 'frightening' volume of child sexual abuse material emerging online. 'If I look just at my work, what has definitely increased… is the level of violence in children's homes that has led to the torture, sexual abuse and death,' he continued, citing the case of two-year-old Chevonne Rusch, whose mother, alongside her boyfriend, was convicted of the torture and murder of Chevonne in the Johannesburg High Court in late 2023. 'The level of brutality is definitely increasing.' Other trends Lamprecht noted were an increase in adult female sexual offenders targeting boys, and a rise in the number of foetuses and newborns abandoned on the streets of Johannesburg. 'Children go missing every five hours in this country, and that's the ones that are reported on. The ones that get thrown away in the streets here in Joburg, where I work, those children aren't even reported as missing because no one bothered reporting that they were alive,' he said. Policing and prosecution constraints Solomons said that while there had been improvements to law enforcement services in South Africa, there remained 'big gaps' when it came to the protection of children. 'Often the police lack resources… Because of the targeting of police, we've seen that police sometimes don't go into a particular area, or the medical teams don't go into a particular area, because they themselves get targeted. So, it's a very complex situation that we find ourselves in,' he explained. South Africa was a country of 'limitless needs and limited resources', said Lamprecht, with constraints on tackling violence against children at all levels, including in prevention, early intervention and statutory aftercare. 'We have got absolutely brilliant police officers, prosecutors, doctors, forensic pathologists, judges, etc… When I'm in the high court and in these cases, there's brilliant investigation; pathologists and doctors are brilliant; all the witnesses and professionals are treated well… But then you get to Correctional Services and there's a whole other parole drama that starts rearing its head… Then you go to the magistrates' court, and it is sheer, unadulterated chaos… It's like they're not even the same system,' he said. The Teddy Bear Foundation, an NGO providing services for victims of child abuse, released statistics in March 2025 showing that, of 5,385 cases handled by its court preparation programme between 2019 and 2024, just 4% had resulted in a conviction, according to a TimesLIVE report. Daily Maverick asked the NPA about the conviction rates for crimes against children but had not received a response by the time of publishing. Underlying social issues The children Molo Songololo works with, most of whom fall between the ages of 12 and 17, are often vulnerable to abuses due to factors such as identity issues, peer pressure and disempowerment within broader society, according to Solomons. 'There's a whole lot of risk… within broader society and how we deal with adolescence. For one, adolescents are not supposed to speak back. They're not supposed to have their own opinions. They're often blamed for when something goes wrong with them,' he said. 'When young people do push back, whether it is with parents, in the family, at school… then they are labelled as disruptive or rude… That combination where family adults and society, generally, on one level want them to behave like adults… and at another level still treat them as kids with no power… presents a kind of vulnerability and puts them at risk.' Other social issues that Solomons identified as contributing towards children's vulnerability to crime were poverty and unemployment, poor or lacking parenting and a shortage of safe spaces within health and education structures. Lamprecht pointed to substance abuse as a significant risk factor when it came to violent crimes against children in the home. Childhood in Crisis This is a special Daily Maverick editorial project exposing the brutal realities of child abuse, neglect, and systemic failure – and what needs to change. Over the coming days, we'll be publishing a series of in-depth articles. Keep checking this page for the latest stories in the series. Creating safer spaces In addressing high rates of violence against children, Solomons advocated for services within communities that provided ongoing support for children who experienced abuse. 'When something bad happens to a child, or a parent tries to find help for a child, there needs to be effective support and help… [for] parents and children to know exactly what their rights are, what happened to them, and understand how they can be part of the healing and empowerment process. Then you get a better result. You don't get children who accept their abuse and just go through a cycle of abuse,' he said, adding that services needed to go into the homes of affected families. 'The other thing that I think is very important is, of course, poverty alleviation… things like job creation, income into the family and sustainable food security for children.' Lamprecht emphasised that a relationship with a parent remained the 'single most protective factor' against harm for a child. He added that in cases where children were harmed, parents should be able to rely on a functional justice system for support. 'You need to want your children… Most children get hurt by people very, very close to them. You need to be aware of the dangers to your children. We need to not live in a world where we teach children to say no to adults. We should live in a world where children don't have to say no to adults, and if adults misbehave, the other adults take that on,' he said. DM
IOL News
3 days ago
- Business
- IOL News
KZN kings hit the jackpot: Moses Tembe and Sandile Zungu's Sizekhaya Holdings take over lottery from Ithuba
Sizekhaya Holdings is led by a consortium that includes KwaZulu-Natal business figures such as Moses Tembe, former Chairperson of the KZN Growth Coalition, and Sandile Zungu, owner of AmaZulu football club. Sizekhaya Holdings, linked to KwaZulu-Natal businessman Moses Tembe and Amazulu Football Club owner, Sandile Zungu has been announced as the new lottery operator, effectively taking over from Ithuba, who managed the lottery since 2015. Sizekhaya's licence is valid for eight years Earlier on Wednesday, Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (DTIC) Minister Parks Tau said the National Lotteries Commission (NLC) submitted a report on May 26 confirming successful negotiations with Sizekhaya Holdings, the preferred bidder supported by the Goldrush Group, its part owner. Who is Sizekhaya Holdings? Gauteng-based Sizekhaya Holdings is led by a consortium that includes Tembe and Zungu. Zungu has also been linked to the African National Congress having previously run for the KZN chairperson post in 2022 and then withdrawing from the race. Legal woes Tau said despite the awarding of the licence, the process has already become the subject of litigation and a judgment of the High Court. I am seeking legal advice to appeal against the judgment's findings and orders, and I reserve all my rights concerning this judgment. With due respect to the honourable High Court, my announcement is the result of my undertaking made to the bidders and the Court before the hearing of the application," the minister said.
IOL News
22-05-2025
- Health
- IOL News
Why the deep plane facelift is the new gold standard
Professor Chrysis Sofianos, a leading Gauteng-based plastic surgeon and an expert in deep plane facelifts Image: supplied Plastic surgery in South Africa is having a major moment. Gone are the days when going under the knife was a whispered secret. These days, talking openly about cosmetic procedures is not only accepted but also encouraged. From the glitzy streets of Sandton to Instagram feeds across Cape Town, more South Africans are embracing facial rejuvenation as an essential part of their lifestyle, not just a hush-hush fix. Let's face it: celebrity culture plays a huge role in shaping our beauty aspirations. Take Kris Jenner, for example. Her 'new face' has sparked endless speculation, with many experts pointing to the deep plane facelift as her secret weapon for looking refreshed yet natural. Closer to home, South Africa's own Khanyi Mbau is no stranger to the spotlight or to breaking the internet with her ever-evolving look. But it's not just for celebrities anymore. Every day, South Africans are seeking out cosmetic surgery to look and feel their best, with searches for 'facelift South Africa' and 'plastic surgery trends' at an all-time high, according to Google Trends data from 2023. One major driver is the global weight loss craze, especially the popularity of new medications originally designed for diabetes. While these drugs have helped many achieve their dream bodies, they've also led to the rise of the 'weight loss face', that hollowed, saggy look that can make people appear older than they feel. Professor Chrysis Sofianos, a leading Gauteng-based plastic surgeon and an expert in deep plane facelifts, explains that, 'One of the most common complaints I hear from patients is, 'I finally have the body I wanted, but my face looks 10 years older.'' According to the Gauteng plastic surgeon guru, he's seen a surge in consultations from people who have lost weight rapidly, only to find that their faces have lost volume and firmness. The deep plane facelift So, what's the secret to reversing the 'weight loss face' and other signs of ageing? According to Sofianos, it's all about going deeper literally. The deep plane facelift isn't just another beauty trend; it's being called the gold standard for natural, long-lasting results. Unlike traditional facelifts, which tighten only the skin, the deep plane facelift repositions the deeper layers of facial tissue. This technique gives a lift where it matters most, restoring youthful contours without the 'pulled' or 'wind tunnel' look so many people fear. 'This is just one instance where the deep plane facelift truly shines,' says Professor Sofianos. It restores natural facial harmony by lifting and repositioning deep tissues, not just tightening the skin. "The results are subtle and timeless, people will notice you look fantastic, not that you've had work done.' Plastic surgeons like Professor Sofianos are at the forefront of this cultural shift, offering advanced techniques that respect both science and artistry. Image: Supplied
The Citizen
11-05-2025
- The Citizen
Port Edward: A bridge too far
Wild Coast is closer than you think Speaking this past week to an old high school friend from Johannesburg about my recent trip to Pondoland, he said he'd always wanted to visit the Wild Coast. 'It's just so far,' he almost wailed. The distance between Johannesburg and Port Edward, the KwaZulu-Natal gateway to the Wild Coast is 720km whereas the distance along the N2 between Stellenbosch and Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth) – a road I frequently travel by motorcycle – is 750km. Nor will the Gauteng-based traveller have to drive through the erstwhile Transkei, a daunting prospect to many, to get there. Port Edward is 30km beyond Margate. A bridge too far? Wild Coast is closer than you think I've never actually visited Port Edward before, even though I've been going to the Wild Coast since I was a child in East London. Port Edward entered my roadtripping gunsight last year while flying low-level back to Durban from Mkambati Game Reserve. I spotted a bare patch of ochre-coloured ground surrounded by lush savannah not far from the Mtamvuna River and asked the pilot what it was. 'That's the world's smallest desert,' he replied. On the north bank of the Mtamvuna is Port Edward and on the south, the Wild Coast Sun ( The bridge over it links KZN and the Eastern Cape. As with Port Edward, I'd never been to the Wild Coast Sun, a Sun International resort that opened in 1981. My first 'memory' of the place was vicarious: watching golfer Bernhard Langer on television driving off the remarkable elevated tee prior to winning the Wild Coast Sun Skins tournament in 1990. What a glorious course, I thought at the time. It still is. Thanks to a confluence of coincidences, Sun International made contact a few months later… …and in mid-March RoseMariè and I drove in the deepening gloom over that bridge my school buddy said was too far (having driven 660km from Bathurst and taken an unplanned detour) and checked into the four-star resort for the first of three nights. What immediately struck me while pushing the luggage trolley to our room was that the place must be enormous because, as luck would have it, our room was one of the farthest from the lifts. I later averaged that distance at around 240 paces; a bit of a marathon when you're to-ing and froing several times a day or have forgotten something in the car. Still, the room looked out over the sea where a full moon was rising. Open the windows to hear the surf, pour a glass of wine, turn off the lights and… bliss. NOW READ: Of tents, muddy puddles and camping fun A resort for all seasons I would strongly suggest making a mid-week booking if you want to make the most of the extensive range of facilities and guest activities, especially those that focus on kids such as the thrilling Wild Waves Water Park or the challenging 18-hole championship golf course. There are 394 rooms in the hotel and our final night – the Friday before a three-day long weekend – saw all but four of them occupied. The main mode of dining is buffet-style and, even when the hotel is packed, service is slick and the food flavourful and impeccably prepared. Rose-Mariè had large portions of lamb curry each night while I opted for an enormous omelette every day at breakfast. The first morning we followed Matt Williams' directions to the Red Desert Nature Reserve ( a private-public initiative between landowners and Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife. Williams is custodian and part-owner of the 180ha reserve, inside which the actual desert covers less than 11ha and is only 200m wide at its broadest. 'By the time you come across it, you're halfway to the other side,' Rose-Mariè quipped. Williams says desertification 'was caused by human activity starting with early Stone Age people using fire to manufacture implements. 'Much later, Shaka… the famous king of the amaZulu… came this way to raid cattle from the other side of the river. He'd corral them here before heading back north. This caused overgrazing.' The birdlife in the reserve is remarkable and a number of mammal species are present. These include leopard, caracal and spotted genet – all quite elusive – as well as bushbuck, reedbuck, grey and blue duiker. There is a R40 entry fee and it's based on an honesty system whereby visitors can visit the website to buy a ticket or use their phones to scan a QR code at the gate. The day was warm and the sun high when we finished, so RoseMariè and I headed into town for a beer at a beachfront pub-restaurant called The Wreck, which takes its name from the sinking of the Portuguese sailing ship Sao Joao which ran aground in 1552. About 500 of the 600 people on board made it to shore, not knowing the nightmare had only begun. A nearby memorial tells their story. Unearthing ancient wonders The Wild Coast Sun was built between the mouths of two rivers, the Mzamba and Mtamvuna, and it is the beach – specifically at low tide – that has been Benny Mbotho's workplace for the past quarter century. Mbotho is a guide and self-taught palaeontologist who shows hotel guests the panoply of fossils that include trees and ammonites that date 80 million years. The so-called 'petrified forest' is a series of trees carried downriver and embedded in rock by subsequent glacial movement. He also pointed out the remains of 'White Man's Cave' in which many of the Sao Joao survivors took shelter before deciding to trek north to Delagoa Bay (Maputo). According to the Port Edward memorial: 'Ahead of them lay a walk of hundreds of miles during which most succumbed to exposure, heat, exhaustion, thirst and starvation. They were subjected to attacks by wild animals and encounters with indigenous tribes. 'Only 22 survived.' NOW READ: From tents to fridges to lights: How to kick off your next adventure in nature
The South African
08-05-2025
- Sport
- The South African
Orlando Pirates secure Sihle Nduli as Kaizer Chiefs miss out again
Orlando Pirates to secure Sihle Nduli as Kaizer Chiefs miss out again. The Bucs have pulled off a major coup by landing Stellenbosch FC's midfield general, on a free transfer. The 29-year-old will join the Buccaneers at the end of the current season when his contract with the Cape Winelands club expires. Nduli has drawn significant interest from Gauteng-based giants after cementing his place as one of Stellenbosch's top performers over the past two seasons. Since Sibongiseni Mthethwa's departure to Kaizer Chiefs, Nduli stepped up as Steve Barker's midfield lynchpin and transformed into a dominant force at the base of the team. This season, Nduli didn't miss a beat, starting in 41 matches and netting a single, yet unforgettable, goal. That strike came in Cairo, where he scored the historic winner that eliminated Zamalek and sent Stellenbosch into the semi-finals of the CAF Confederation Cup. Having joined Stellies from TS Galaxy in July 2022, Nduli quickly passed the 100-appearance mark. His consistency and big-match temperament made him an obvious target for South Africa's biggest clubs. Both Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs expressed interest in the midfielder, especially as his contract neared its end in June. However, a well-placed source has confirmed that Nduli has already given a verbal commitment to join the Soweto giants in Mayfair. 'Looks like he is going to Mayfair (Orlando Pirates), and to think Chiefs were so close in the last window. But we know that Pirates are cleaning house and will need to bring in replacements for people like Makhaula, who has done so well but is on the wrong side of 30 now,' said the well-placed source. Kaizer Chiefs had made a strong push to sign Nduli during the January transfer window, as previously reported. Missing out on him now will sting even more, considering how close they were to finalizing a deal. Nduli's arrival at Pirates signals a clear intent to refresh their midfield, with veterans like Makhaula approaching the twilight of their careers. The Buccaneers' proactive move underscores their ambition to challenge on all fronts next season. Stay tuned with The South African as Orlando Pirates secure Sihle Nduli. Is Nduli the signing the Buccaneers need? 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.
