'Our calls to end violence fall on deaf ears!' - Save the Children South Africa
South Africa has seen a recent surge of ritual killings of children.
Missing 6-year-old Joshlin Smith. Picture: Western Cape Missing Persons Unit/Supplied.
702 and CapeTalk’s Africa Melane speaks with Gugu Xaba, CEO of Save The Children South Africa.
Listen below:
The country is reeling after a spate of horrifying stories of children being sold and killed for ritualistic purposes.
The tragic Joshlin Smith case, where her mother sold her to a sangoma, and the murder of toddler Kutlwano Shalaba are among those making headlines.
Xaba says Save the Children has seen a growth in violence against children over the last 10 years.
“Our conversations about not tolerating violence are falling on deaf ears.”
- Gugu Xaba, CEO - Save The Children South Africa
She feels that parents and guardians seem to be pushing the responsibility of protecting their children onto the police.
RELATED: South Africa is officially a kidnapping hotspot
She argues that this responsibility must be the family’s first, and the police must support the protections they have put in place.
“We have lost the understanding that it is our responsibility. Not police and not government.”
- Gugu Xaba, CEO - Save The Children South Africa
Scroll up to the audio player for more.