Lekgoro
29 August 2006
Gauteng MEC for Social Development, Kgaogelo Lekgoro, said the family of the
18-month-old torture victim from Mabopane and the families of the suspected
child attackers should be given counselling and helped through the tough time
that lies ahead.
"We are devastated by the brutality of the attack and we should do whatever
is necessary to reach out to the families. The families of the victim and those
of the alleged perpetrators should receive counselling from social workers and
psychologists," said Lekgoro.
The MEC visited Seiso Ratsoana at the Odi Hospital in Mabopane on Monday,
after the toddler suffered severe burns to his body after an alleged attack by
two 11-year-old boys.
Seiso's grandmother, Jennifer Ratsoana, said the attack took place last week
when the toddler went missing while playing with the children. He was later
discovered two houses away, under a pile of blankets in a bedroom surrounded by
an array of knives which the alleged attackers used to torture him with.
Dr Dlamini, the doctor treating Seiso at the Odi Hospital, said he is doing
well.
"On his arrival last week, Seiso was in bad shape. He had also developed a
lung infection which has been treated with an antibiotic and we intend to do an
x-ray examination to determine if there would be any future complications. He
is recovering well," said Dr Dlamini.
It is not clear when Seiso will be released from hospital.
Issued by: Department of Social Development, Gauteng Provincial
Government
29 August 2006
Source: Gauteng Provincial Government (http://www.gpg.gov.za)
