The Community of Deneysville is still reeling with shock after two children, Bongani Mosia and Nthako Motsoeneng, both aged 7, disappeared on Saturday afternoon, 26 July 2014.
It is reported that before disappearing, the two friends were last seen playing on the street not far from their homes. After looking for them and realising that something might be wrong, their parents reported the matter to the police who have searched in vain until the slain body of one of the children was found dumped in a nearby river, whilst the search for the other body is continuing.
The Free State Provincial Government is deeply concerned over the increasing rate of brutal murders meted against children. In less than two months, we have seen the most brutal forms of murder and abuse of our children. “We condemn these acts of brutality and are calling upon for increased community protection of our children,” said Acting Premier, Mosebenzi Zwane.
Acting Premier Zwane further asserted that, whilst our police are doing their utmost best to protect children, it is the parents, the guardians and the community at large that can guarantee us the most leak-proof methods of child protection as they live with these children, they see these children play and are likely to see intruders and imposters that mean to harm our children, and that is where our decisive intervention must be.
The call for the re-instatement of the death penalty by the African National Congress Women’s League (ANCWL) is emotionally charged as an attempt to highlight the seriousness with which protection must be addressed. This call is made by the provincial leadership of the ANCWL and not by the Free State Provincial Government. Our understanding as the Provincial Government is that the ANCWL, within its own right, is calling for the harshest punishment to be meted against the perpetrators of the ills against children.
We take this opportunity to urge our communities to respect the rule of law, to report any atrocities, no matter their magnitude, committed against children and other vulnerable groups to the law enforcement agencies, and to uphold the fundamental principles enshrined in the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa.
Enquiries:
Mondli Mvambi
Spokesperson, Free State Provincial Government Communication Services
Cell: 072 022 1598,
E-mail: mondli.mvambi@fspremier.gov.za / mmvambi@gmail.com
Setjhaba Maphalla,
Cell: 071 302 2591
E-mail: sk.maphalla@gmail.com
