5 days ago
Bail granted to couple accused of abusing son
A 51-year-old man and his 37-year-old wife, of Crystal Park, who are accused of abusing their 20-year-old son were granted bail of R2 000 each by the Benoni Magistrate's Court on July 31.
The couple, originally from Zimbabwe, face a charge of assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm (GBH) following their arrest on July 11.
According to the charge sheet, the alleged assault took place on July 10, when the 20-year-old was reportedly beaten with a stick and had boiling water poured on him.
The young man, who has since been placed in a place of safety, was found naked by a domestic worker hiding on her employer's property about five streets away from his home. She gave him clothes and escorted him to the Crystal Park Police Station.
Bail hearing
During the formal bail application, State Advocate Mbonambi read out an affidavit by investigating officer Constable Ndumiso Mahlaba opposing bail, arguing that the release of the couple might endanger the complainant.
According to the affidavit, the alleged assault began after the mother scolded her son for not cleaning the house and cooking. She allegedly instructed the child to fetch a stick, which she used to beat him, while the stepfather allegedly struck him with his fists and ordered him to leave the house.
The affidavit further stated that the mother instructed her son to undress. When he attempted to flee into the bathroom, the stepfather followed him, and the mother allegedly handed her husband boiling water, which he poured over the young man.
The complainant told police he escaped when his mother was distracted by a phone call. He jumped over a wall and spent the night hiding in a neighbour's lapa before being discovered the next morning.
Mbonambi argued that bail should be denied given the seriousness of the alleged abuse and the fact that it constituted domestic violence.
However, the couple's attorney argued that they were not flight risks, had no previous convictions, and that their two young children would suffer if they were remanded in custody. He submitted proof of residence, identification documents and municipal accounts as evidence that the family had been settled at the same address since 2011.
The defence also noted that the mother is self-employed, having previously worked as a caregiver, while the stepfather works as an engineering consultant. The couple has been married since 2023.
After hearing arguments from both sides, the magistrate granted bail on the condition that the accused do not contact the complainant, do not intimidate witnesses, report weekly at the Crystal Park SAPS on Wednesdays from 08:00 to 18:00 and attend court until the matter is finalised.
The case was postponed to September 4 for further investigation.
Psychological insights
The Benoni City Times contacted Dr Pauline Baleta, a Boksburg-born clinical psychologist now based in Australia, to find out more about the psychological insights into parental abuse.
'Abuse within the household is a complex and multilayered phenomenon. Important factors to consider within the household that may place parents at risk of violent behaviour include mental illness, substance abuse, lack of resources, socioeconomic status, lack of education and previous violent behaviour.'
Baleta said individuals with a poor education lack the problem-solving skills to consider alternatives to violence. They may also struggle to ask for help, not knowing where to turn or how to verbalise their needs.
'Risk factors for members of the community, friends and family to look out for include secret-keeping within the family, a history of violent and abusive behaviour, domestic violence and a history of mental illness.
'All these factors increase an individual's risk. Poor boundaries are also problematic. Too-rigid boundaries can perpetuate abusive environments and an authoritative parenting style, for example, 'Do what you are told or you will get beaten'.
'This is parenting by fear. Similarly, enmeshed boundaries are problematic as this does not allow the person space to be themselves and have privacy,' she said.
Baleta said intergenerational trauma and underlying personality disorders also play a significant role. Children raised in abusive households may learn and repeat such behaviour. This, combined with substance abuse and mental illness, can contribute towards violent behaviour.
Dr Shaheda Omar from the Teddy Bear Foundation also weighed in, referencing high-profile child abuse cases such as those of Joslin Smith and Jayden-Lee Meek.
'A normal, healthy mind would not resort to such cruelty, brutalisation and violation of a child. Children are being objectified, and people are becoming desensitised.
'Violence seems to be normal. We may find underlying pathology, and there are often severe mental disturbances in individuals who resort to this kind of behaviour.
'The lack of empathy and the absence of regret or remorse make it easier for them to objectify the child.'
Speaking on the warning signs that relatives or community members should look out for abuse within the home, Omar said there may be visible indicators such as neglect, lack of supervision, the child frequently coming home late, being underfed or poorly dressed, and missing school.
Besides the community being vigilant, schools also need to be alert to signs such as the child always appearing exhausted, having no lunch, struggling to concentrate, crying, or not participating in class.
Also Read: Benoni Child Welfare urges residents to act against child abuse
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