Cape Town – As the body of the 20th child murdered in the Western Cape since the start of the year was found, Premier Helen Zille has rejected a call by 10 organisations for the establishment of a commission of inquiry into child murders.
This has angered the organisations, who have now started a petition to force the premier to change her mind. So far 654 people have signed the petition.
Valdi van Reenen-Le Roux, the director of the Trauma Centre, said too many children were dying in the Western Cape as a consequence of violence. “The vast majority of these children live on the Cape Flats."
We are calling on Premier Helen Zille to establish a commission of inquiry.
“We met with the premier about the matter with 10 different organisations and mothers who have lost their children, to discuss this matter."
“The premier said it would be too expensive to establish a commission of inquiry. But the premier rather proposed that research into the matter should be done."
“They will then have a panel of researchers and write a report. This is not the route to go. I can’t see how a research report is going to give us results. We need to find solutions to prevent further murders of children,” she said.
Hugo van der Merwe of the Centre for the Study of Violence and Reconciliation said that public outcry about child killings was not enough. He said a commission would enable them to know the trend of the killings.
Michael Mpofu, Zille’s spokesperson, said they were busy formulating policy for the appointment of a children’s commissioner.
“Our provincial government is in the process of finalising a policy to guide the development of legislation for the appointment of a children’s commissioner.
“We believe a holistic approach is required. Families civil society, government, police and other bodies all have a role to play in this fight,” Mpofu said.
On Monday, community members in Nomzamo, Strand, gathered at the home of Minentle Lekhatha, 5, whose body was found under a bridge nearby.