PREMIER ZILLE TO CONVENE SPECIALIST NGO MEETING ON CHILD MURDERS
Premier Helen Zille will convene a meeting of NGOs specializing in child protection, to discuss the way forward regarding the recent spate of child murders in the province.
The Premier announced this in her latest Daily Maverick column published on Tuesday.
The pattern emerging from incidents in the Western Cape - in almost all cases - is that perpetrators are known, and usually trusted, by the victim and their families.
Perpetrators have ranged from neighbours, landlords, lodgers, ex-boyfriends and even the fathers of the victims. Many perpetrators were under the influence of alcohol or drugs when they committed their crimes. Some acted out of revenge against a partner (or former partner).
“I will now convene a meeting of stakeholders who are actively involved in child safety issues. I will also seek their response to my proposal for an in-depth expert study into six child murder cases. This study will help us to determine whether a formal commission of inquiry is an appropriate step, or whether there are other, more effective steps the provincial government can take within its constitutional mandate, to help prevent child murders,” said Premier Zille.