Women and Men Against Child Abuse are deeply saddened and angered about the recent brutal murders of two boys in Soweto.
The bodies of Nqobile Zulu and Tshiamo Rabanye aged 5 and 6 were found mutilated in two separate areas in Soweto on 20 April after being reported missing the previous day. It is reported that the boys were playing outside with a friend late that evening when they were approached by men in an unidentified vehicle, kidnapped, and later murdered. The third boy managed to flee.
Following further investigations, the grandmother of Nqobile Zulu along with her partner was arrested for the killings and charged with 2 counts of murder, kidnapping, and defeating the ends of justice. Both suspects appeared before the Protea Magistrate Court late last month and are expected to return on Friday, 5 May for a formal bail application. WMACA vehemently opposes the granting of bail in this matter.
WMACA staff have given evidence in two cases where religious and traditional beliefs and rituals have resulted in the injury and subsequent disability and death of children under two years old. The fact that children are sacrificed by adults is deeply distressing and is investigated by a Specialised Provincial Unit of the SAPS, who have achieved justice in our courts for these children. The last case resulted in the two murdering family members being given 3 life sentences each.
In February this year, Police Minister Bheki Cele released the crime statistics for quarter 3 of 2022 during a speech in Cape Town. The statistics once again highlighted South Africa as a dangerous state where the lives of women and children are at risk every day.
Between October and December 2022, it’s reported that 3 children and 12 women were murdered daily, while 21 434 women and children were victims of GBH and attempted murder over that same period. While Soweto hasn’t previously been listed as a top hotspot for crime, more than it is a disadvantaged community, we cannot downplay the recent killings and the heightened sense of fear it has brought over community members. Serious action must be taken now to prevent a possible surge in similar crimes in the future. On that note, WMACA applauds the work of the SAPS in this matter following the speedy arrest of the suspects, as well as their efforts with ongoing investigations.
We call for speedy justice and life imprisonment with no chance of parole before 25 years have been served by both suspects.
For media inquiries, please contact:
Luke Lamprecht: 065 168 2971
Jade Kelmovitz: 060 492 8495
