How safe are children in South Africa?

LAST Monday’s shocking death of a 9-year-old child is a tragedy.

With just a week to go to commemorate national Child Protection Week, the question is how safe are our children in South Africa?

The tragedy and the pain felt by us in all communities led residents, who have a right to question the South African police, to demand what action the police are taking to curb the high crime rate, as it is a matter of major concern.

I salute every member of the Chatsworth community for exercising their right to question the police service.

The harsh brutality meted out to the protesting community in Chatsworth bore a stark resemblance to the June 16 tragedy.

The question I’d like answered is where the Chatsworth CPF chair and his bench warming executives were during the showdown with the police?

These forums are nothing but talk shops and its members must resign, as they do not serve the purpose of the community.

The community has every right to be angry over the sharp increase in crime in their area.

The strained relationship between the community and the police needs to be mended.

It should be the function of Community Policing Forums to help build a better relationship between the police and the local community.

It’s heartbreaking to see a family reeling in grief, over a child whose life ended so tragically. She had not seen life.

Yet a community expressing concern over the crime rate is brutalised by those who are supposed to protect them, not fire rubber bullets and teargas at them.

The police must realise that we as the Indian community are a family. You hurt one you hurt us all. I commend the Chatsworth community and support their actions in questioning their children’s safety.

There was nothing wrong in doing that.

The national minister of police went to Engcobo regarding the seven angels shooting, the president visited families of political violence.

Let us see how this urgent issue is addressed by those leaders; who will address and assist the community?

May I say it’s not only the South African police. The Durban metro police also behaved absolutely terrible on national television with the community.

Sharon Hoosen, a DA ward councillor, was not making sense in her statement.

She needs to protect the community now not in times of elections for votes. VENOLIN GOVENDER Pietermaritzburg