Nokwanda Dlangamandla |kzn@radioislam.org.za

1 min read | 13:30

GBV Summit 2022
Photo Credit: ENCA

The rape, mutilation, and death of 4-year-old Bokgabo Poo served as a sharp reminder to South Africans of the danger children face every day.

As the small girl’s location was sought, the nation held its breath as posters with appeals for assistance to locate her were shared on social media. She was later discovered to have been murdered, raped, and dismembered.

According to Vhonani Phetla, a junior researcher at the University of Johannesburg’s Institute for Pan-Africanist Thought and Conversation, statistics show that a war is being waged on children in the nation.

According to a UNICEF South Africa 2021 study, between October and December 2021, 352 children died, 394 were the targets of attempted murder, and 2,048 experienced physical abuse.

Chapter Two of the Constitution clearly states that children have the right to be protected from maltreatment, neglect, abuse, or degradation; however, the reality of children and the statistics tell a completely different story. Between April and June of this year, 243 children were killed, and 1,670 suffered severe bodily harm, according to UNICEF 2022 statistics.

In her opinion piece, Phetla stressed figures show war is being waged against children in South Africa and that this needs to be addressed.

In an interview with Radio Islam International, Phetla stated that traditional society must also take action to combat the evil of gender-based violence and restore the spirit of Ubuntu to the community.

She also stated that everyone engaged should always fight for the protection of children.

Listen to the interview on Sabahul Muslim, hosted by Junaid Kharsany and his guest, Vhonani Phetla, a junior researcher at the University of Johannesburg’s Institute for Pan-Africanist Thought and Conversation.