A 2-year-old boy has died after his mother allegedly assaulted and burned him on Monday evening, July 8, at Crossroads Location in Peddie.
Police spokesperson, Lt Col Siphokazi Mawisa, confirmed that on Monday, July 8 at approximately 22:00, police were alerted by members of the community about a 41-year-old mother who assaulted and set her son alight.
Mawisa said, on arrival, they found the body of a 2-year-old boy who had been assaulted and burned to death.
“It is alleged that the mother assaulted her child in front of her 7-year-old daughter, who alerted the community.
“The daughter is now in custody with a family member,” she explained.
The mother was arrested on Monday, July 8, on charges of murder.
The suspect is appearing at Peddie Magistrate Court today, July 10.
The Eastern Cape Provincial Commissioner Lieutenant General Nomthetheleli Mene, has expressed shock and horror at the murder of a 2-year-old boy.
“As the police, Gender-Based Violence against women and children is one of the main acts we condemn. Whatever circumstances that might have led her to allegedly kill her own child is unjustifiable. I have spoken to the investigating team that this case be given priority,” said Mene
In response to the death of the two-year-old boy, Eastern Cape Director for Khula Community Development Project, Petros Majola,condemned these acts of violence against children and has since informed the Eastern Cape Premier, Oscar Mabuyane and relevant MECs including Traditional Leaders.
“We call on parents, to approach local offices of Social Development or they can even come to our offices should they feel that caring for their kids is too much for them. There are provisions within the Department of Social Development to accommodate such cases as opposed to the killing of these innocent souls.”
