Childline SA raises the alarm as thousands of teens give birth in the Eastern Cape

JOHANNESBURG - Childline South Africa said that it is concerned over the high rates of minors falling pregnant in the country.

On Wednesday the Eastern Cape government revealed that more than 100 children between the ages of 10 and 14 have given birth between April and July this year.

In the same period, close to 5,000 teenagers have also given birth.

Provincial police have since opened several cases against adults accused of impregnating minors.

National Childline executive officer Dumisile Cele said that this is a widely common occurrence across the country.

"The numbers are alarming, this is a situation we have been experiencing for the past few years, and obviously we encourage community professionals because these young people go through the hands to professionals to report such matters. "