Statement by Yusuf Cassim MPL – DA Shadow MEC for Community Safety:
The Democratic Alliance condemns, in the strongest possible terms, the brutal murder of a three-year-old child in Sulenkama, near Qumbu. This horrific crime, where the child was allegedly beaten to death by his stepfather, before his body was dumped in a plastic bucket and buried, exposes the extreme levels of violence faced by children in the Eastern Cape and reflects a deep and ongoing failure to protect the most vulnerable members of our society.
The details emerging from this case are disturbing and heartbreaking. Not only was his life taken from him, but his mother is alleged to have deliberately filed a false missing person’s report in an apparent attempt to mislead the police and avoid accountability.
No child should ever be subjected to such cruelty, abuse, and betrayal by those entrusted with their care. This was a complete violation of a child’s right to safety, dignity, and life.
As the DA, we demand swift, uncompromising justice. Those responsible must face the full consequences of the law, and there must be no delays or procedural failures that undermine accountability in this matter.
Beyond this individual case, the DA demands urgent and decisive action to strengthen child protection mechanisms across the province. This includes improved coordination between SAPS, social development services, and community-based structures to ensure early detection of abuse and effective intervention before lives are lost.
The DA will closely monitor the progress of this case through the criminal justice system and will continue to hold the provincial government and law enforcement agencies accountable for their responsibility to protect children from violence and abuse.
This tragedy must serve as a turning point. The Eastern Cape cannot continue to normalise the brutalisation of its children.
Trash
Fun South African Fact: In the Cape Wineland region, you’ll discover the stunning towns of Franschhoek, Stellenbosch and Paarl. This region is home to many award-winning wine estates that produce incredible varieties and vintages year in and year out. South Africa’s wine country is home to more than 500 registered wineries. While exploring these vineyards and estates, be sure to sample some Pinotage, South Africa’s signature variety!
Cereal Killer
Fun South African Fact: South African Dr. Christiaan Barnard performed the world’s first heart transplant on 3 December 1967 at Groote Schuur Hospital in Cape Town. The groundbreaking surgery was carried out on Louis Washkansky and Dr. Barnard was assisted by a large and exceptional team of surgeons, nurses and technicians. One of Dr. Barnard’s assistants was Hamilton Naki, a black laboratory assistant who had worked previously as a gardener and went on to work in the animal laboratory at the University of Cape Town. He had assisted Dr Barnard with research leading to the transplant. In the apartheid days, Naki had no access to higher education due to his race. Despite being unable to access formal training, he learned from and assisted university researchers and went on to do improbable work.