Yesterday Thursday, 18 June 2009, I supported the family of seven year old Nadine Jantjies at the Blue Downs Magistrate’s Court where a relative appeared in connection with her rape and murder.
I had an opportunity to speak to her parents and engage with other mothers who attended the court hearing. I talked with volunteers who searched for her body ever since her disappearance until they made the gruesome find on Youth Day.
I later visited the house Nadine lived in and saw the area where her body was discovered.
This gruesome incident of rape and murder of a girl child should be condemned in the strongest terms possible. Those who inflict such pain on any child, cause heartache to parents and traumatise our communities should feel the full brunt of the law.
I have already had initial discussions with the Minister of Police, Nathi Mthethwa who is equally concerned about the matter. We will together look at ways of ensuring that all our children grow up and live in communities that are safe and that they enjoy the kind of security that will enable them to reach their full potential.
We agreed to meet within the next week to explore constructive ways to achieve the above.
I urge all communities to join our national effort to create safer and caring communities where children can live, learn and play without any fear or threats. We have a common responsibility to ensure this.
In support of the above, we will forge relationships will all spheres of government, civil society organisations and communities to stop the disappearance, rape and killing of children and protect our children against abusers.
For more information, contact:
Lionel R Adendorf
Cell: 082 554 6520
Issued by: Department of Women, Youth, Children and Persons with Disabilities
19 June 2009
