Child homicide in the Mthatha region of South Africa of South Africa-case reports

Abstract

Background: Children are the most vulnerable members of society and susceptible to being victims of crime, although the problem is hardly recognized in society. The South African Children’s Act of 2005 is a fine piece of law, but its implementation at ground level is a challenge. Long-term poverty in the majority of households and high levels of crime are inherent risks to children’s well-being in this region. Objective: To highlight the problem of child homicide in the Mthatha region of South Africa. Case report: These case reports examine three incidents of children being killed by their caregivers. In the first case the child had multiple injuries to bones, with distorted extremities and fractured ribs. The second was an infant decapitated by her mother and thrown into a nearby river. The third, a five-year-old boy, was killed by a gunshot injury to the head. The histories, postmortem findings, cause of death, medico-legal reports and the Child Protection Act of 2005 are discussed in this manuscript. Conclusion: Crime against children takes place in the Mthatha region of South Africa, despite the existence of the Child Protection Act. This Act needs to be strictly implemented.