This, as the country continues to commemorate the 2020 Child Protection Week. It is this year celebrated under the theme “Let us all Protect Children, during Covid-19 and Beyond”. 

Police spokesperson, Mohale Ramatseba, has urged residents in the Northern Cape and the country at large to put the needs of children at the forefront. 

Social Development Minister, Lindiwe Zulu, has also highlighted that the closure of schools and early childhood development centres have heightened the risk of child abuse, neglect and exploitation and appealed to all citizens to report any acts of child abuse to the police. Zulu further appealed to the police, all government departments and civil societies to work more closely to ensure children are protected at all times.

The National Child Protection Week is commemorated annually to raise awareness about the right of children. It will this year run until June 7.

Meanwhile, Police Minister Bheki Cele has in a statement said the South African Police Service will always strive to uphold children’s rights and work closely with communities.

He said SAPS requested its provincial counterparts to engage more with communities using digital platforms such as local community radio stations to discuss child protection during the lockdown period and encourage the reporting thereof.

OFM News