Johannesburg - The disturbing outbreak of child abductions has stirred critical concerns about the safety of young children in South Africa.
With children getting lost every day in many communities, Tourism Minister Lindiwe Sisulu explained that they were working with the police to find out what the culprits do with children.
She said they had ensured in multiple ways that the compounding ills, such as gender-based violence and abduction of children, were dealt with. She also pointed out that they wanted women and children to feel like they had a home in the women's leadership.
“We ensured that we provide schools with sanitary wear that would make them feel comfortable. I could go on and on and indicate what it is that we are doing or have done to make women feel that they have a home in us,” said Sisulu.
She explained their plan to introduce the legislation that protected women.
“On gender-based violence is something that we have been seized with for a very long time. We are so angered by what happens to women while society looks on. We are wanting to conclude the legislation that protects women.
“It's been very difficult, but I am hoping that very soon the legislation will be finished so that we will have a particular legal framework to ensure that our women are protected,” she said.
In the past few months, the media has been flooded with reports of missing young children and that has become a major concern.
“We are experiencing a scourge in the abduction of young children. I don't know what they do to these children; whether they sell them into prostitution, I’m not sure. But we and the police have been dealing with these matters. And we would like to encourage parents to please take particular care of your child.” said Sisulu
She also highlighted the importance of looking after children, urging communities to come together in this fight.
“We want to encourage society to make sure that children are protected. And in our society and our culture, any child is my child. We want to bring that culture. And every child needs our protection. We are dealing with the police.
“There is a particular segment that has been designated to deal with abductions so that we get to the bottom of what it is that they are doing with these children.”
The Star