DA demands support for 3 000 mothers under the age of 18 in Ratlou

31 August 2016

The Democratic Alliance in the North West is shocked by reports stating that more than 3 000 girls, under the age of 18, in Ratlou are either pregnant or have already delivered their babies.  The youngest mother is a mere 12 years old.

The Democratic Alliance is deeply concerned that it is alleged that some of the girls have been raped, sexually assaulted and in some cases alcohol might have been used by older men to seduce the girls. Some have been the victims of the popular blesser-blessee phenomenon.

Ratlou has nearly 100 000 residents and battle social challenges such as poverty, unemployment and crime. 

Whilst the Democratic Alliance welcomes the announcement of an investigation by the Department for Social Development, we are disappointed that this social problem had to escalate to such an extent.

We call upon the North West MEC for Social Development, Ms Fenny Gaolaolwe, to announce a comprehensive interdepartmental strategy aimed at addressing this problem. 

Other government Departments such as the Department of Education and Safety and Security should be involved in order to get a holistic approach to ensure these girls can still get an education or be assisted if they were victims of a sexual crime.

The Democratic Alliance will also table questions in the Provincial Legislature and demand answers from the MEC for Social Development as to why her Department could not detect such a huge social problem at an earlier stage.

Issued by Tutu Faleni, DA NW Spokesperson on Health and Social Development, 31 August 2016