SA children are killed every day
Image: Timothy Bernard / Independent Newspapers
On average, thirty-three children are violently attacked each day in South Africa, with at least three of them not surviving, according to the latest crime statistics released by the South African Police Service (SAPS) late last year.
UNICEF reported that 'shocking levels of violence continue to destroy children's lives across South Africa,' noting that between October and December 2023, 285 children were murdered, and 2 707 survived attempted murder, assault, or grievous bodily harm. One of the latest child murder victims is 11-year-old Jayden-Lee Meek, who allegedly died after being hit with an 'unknown' hard object to the head.
This is according to the State charge sheet. His mother, 31-year-old Tiffany Meek, has been charged with one count of murder, defeating the ends of justice, crimen injuria, and attempting to defeat the ends of justice, after making her first court appearance in the Roodepoort Magistrate's Court yesterday.
Jayden-Lee was reported missing by his mother shortly after returning home from school, with reports suggesting that he never made it home, even though neighbours and community members saw him enter his complex.
According to the detailed charge sheet, the blow to Jayden-Lee's head resulted in severe blunt force trauma, ultimately leading to his death. Outside the Roodepoort Magistrate's Court, scores of concerned community members picketed ahead of the first court appearance of the relative..
Scores of community and children's rights activists have gathered outside the Roodepoort Magistrate's Court for the appearance of a close family member in the murder of Jayden Lee Meek.
Image: Siyabonga Sithole
Thoko Khambule from Fleurhof stated that the community, which came out in their numbers to mourn the mysterious death of the learner, is shocked by the alleged involvement of a family member whose responsibility was to protect and nurture Jayden-Lee Meek.
"We want justice to be served for Jayden-Lee Meek's death. If indeed the mother is involved in the murder, we want her to answer to the community. We were there with her as she was mourning the death of her child, not knowing that she is somehow involved. We call on the justice system to do the right thing as we want answers from her," she said.
Joburg Speaker Margaret Arnolds arriving at the Roodepoort Magistrate's Court on Monday.
Image: Timothy Bernard / Independent Newspapers
City of Joburg speaker, Margaret Arnolds, speaking outside the court, stated: "As a survivor of rape and abuse, who has spoken openly about GBV, what we want to see today is justice. We want justice to be served regardless of who is involved. We cannot allow a situation where our children are not safe even in their homes."
On Friday, Gauteng police confirmed that a 31-year-old close family member was arrested in connection with the murder and was due to appear before the Roodepoort Magistrate's Court on Monday.
Last month, IOL reported that residents of Fleurhof marched to the Florida police station in Gauteng, calling for justice after the tragic death of the 11-year-old boy.
Gauteng police spokesperson, Colonel Dimakatso Nevhuhulwi, said the relative was arrested on Friday morning following extensive investigations by Florida detectives with the assistance of the provincial investigative unit and tracking team.
Jayden-Lee was reported missing in May 2025 by his mother and was later found unconscious on the staircase of the apartment he was residing at in Fleurhof. He was declared dead at the hospital.
'A case of murder was opened, and police conducted investigations which led to the arrest of the woman. She is expected to appear before Roodepoort Magistrate's Court on (Monday) 14 July 2025 on a charge of murder,' said Nevhuhulwi.
According to police, Jayden-Lee was dropped off by his school transport in the afternoon, but he never arrived home. The following day, his lifeless body was discovered undressed on a staircase within the residential complex where he lived.
According to reports, his body was still warm and clean. He had no blood on him, but visible abrasions could be seen, indicating a possible assault.
When relatives were notified, Jayden-Lee was rushed to the hospital; however, he was declared dead on arrival.
This is a developing story.
HOW YOU CAN HELP CURB CRIMES
RESEARCH shows that we can reduce violence through committing and investing in interventions that work, from the home to school and into the community and work environment.
This includes:
Scaling up parenting support to promote non-violent disciplinary techniques, improving mental wellbeing, and encouraging positive, as opposed to toxic, masculinity.
Increasing investments in violence prevention and early intervention programming can save lives.
Training teachers and child and youth care workers to identify at-risk children, while improving care for child survivors of violence.
Putting into action the School Safety Framework and other initiatives to create a safer learning environment. – UNICEF
Additional Reporting by Staff Reporter
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
IOL News
40 minutes ago
- IOL News
ANC backs Firoz Cachalia as acting police minister amid corruption claims
ANC secretary-general Fikile Mbalula addressed the media on Tuesday regarding the suspension of Police Minister Senzo Mchunu. Image: Timothy Bernard / Independent Newspapers President Cyril Ramaphosa's decision to place Minister Senzo Mchunu on leave of absence has been defended by the ANC, which also expressed full confidence in the appointment of Professor Firoz Cachalia as acting Minister of Police. Taking over as acting minister from August, Wits University law professor Cachalia replaces Mchunu, who faces allegations of corruption and malfeasance from KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi. Mchunu was allegedly influenced by individuals outside the police force, specifically controversial Vusimuzi 'Cat' Matlala and his associate Brown Mogotsi, according to Mkhwanazi, who claimed Mchunu had ties with these individuals. According to Mkhwanazi, a drug cartel's syndicate, involving politicians, businesspeople, and officials from law enforcement (police, metro police, correctional services), prosecution, and the judiciary, has been exposed by a police investigation. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ While ANC secretary-general Fikile Mbalula said that the party welcomed Ramaphosa's decision to establish a judicial commission of inquiry to probe the allegations against Mchunu, some senior members of the party have questioned the step-aside rule and its effectiveness saying it only applies to some while others it has not applied. During a press conference on Tuesday, Mbalula said his party wished Cachalia strength and resolve as he assumes this responsibility during a critical period. Mbalula defended Ramaphosa's choice to appoint Cachalia, citing his experience and credibility as essential for leading the police ministry. Mbalula stated that Cachalia's "deep understanding of the security sector and his proven commitment to clean governance position him to provide the leadership required at this moment". Mbalula stated that the ANC supported the establishment of the commission of inquiry, considering it a vital tool for achieving justice, truth, and reform. He emphasised that the commission should be permitted to carry out its duties comprehensively, impartially, and without bias or intimidation. Acting Deputy Chief Justice, Mbuyiseli Madlanga, will chair a commission tasked with investigating allegations of corruption and malfeasance within the police service. President Ramaphosa guaranteed the commission's authority to refer matters for immediate criminal investigation and prompt prosecution decisions. However, senior members of the ANC are questioning why the step-aside rule does not apply to suspended Mchunu. The rule requires members of the party who are facing serious allegations to step aside from their positions. The rule has seen some ANC officials having to vacate office until they were cleared of any wrongdoing. Former ANC spokespeople Pule Mabe and Zizi Kodwa have had to step aside after appearing in court for various charges. Former Limpopo Treasurer, Danny Msiza, has also had to step aside from organisational duties after he was found to be a kingpin in the VBS saga where R2.3 billion was looted from the now-defunct bank. The senior member, who can't be named for fear of reprisals, said there was commotion among ANC corridors in Luthuli House because some felt Ramaphosa was selective in the application of the step-aside rule. The official believes Ramaphosa should have asked Mchunu and others who have been hogging the news for all the wrong reasons recently. Human Settlement minister Thembi Simelane, Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshaveni and Mchunu have all been in the spotlight recently after corruption allegations, however, have not stepped aside because they are seen as the president's allies. 'Comrades should revisit this step-aside rule and unpack it properly because it does not apply to some. What is the reason for the Minister (Mchunu) not to resign?' asked the official. He added that Cachalia's appointment was also questionable because he was outside of the executive. Mbalula, who did not entertain the step-aside rule during the conference, said that Ramaphosa's decision to place Mchunu on leave is a proactive and considered measure. "It is a step that preserves the integrity of both the Executive and the investigation itself," said Mbalula.
IOL News
3 hours ago
- IOL News
Why South Africans are losing faith in the police: Insights from the HSRC study
The latest HSRC study shows that public trust in police continues to decline. Image: Armand Hough / Independent Newspapers The SAPS will have to work hard to rebuild public confidence, as the latest study shows that trust in the police continues to decline. The research conducted by the Human Sciences Research Council's (HSRC), through the South African Social Attitudes Survey (SASAS), revealed that only 22% of citizens expressed trust in the police. This shows that trust in the police has declined significantly over the past two decades. The survey found that trust levels in the police have remained relatively low over the 1998 to 2024/25 period. Notably, during these 27 years, a majority of the adult public never expressed trust in the police, which suggests that police legitimacy has been a longstanding issue. Over the 1998 to 2010 period, the average level of trust in the police was relatively static. It ranged between 39% and 42% in all but a few years. This was followed by a sharp decline between 2011 and 2013, following the Marikana massacre of August 2012. However, confidence had almost returned to the 2011 level by the time of the 2015 survey round. The 2016 to 2020 period was characterised by modest fluctuation between 31% and 35%. The hard Covid-19 lockdown experience, which included instances of police brutality in enforcing lockdown regulations, did not appear to have had an aggregate effect on confidence levels based on the 2020 survey results. In 2021, public trust in the police dipped to a low of 27%. This appears to be linked to the July 2021 social unrest. Many criticised the poor performance of the police during the unrest. This was followed by a further 5 percentage point decline to 22% in 2022, with the 2023 and 2024/25 confidence levels almost unchanged, which may reflect increasing rates for certain crimes. Timothy Makoe, a resident of Palm Springs in Evaton, endorsed the study, saying police are no longer taking their job seriously. Makoe said he reported a case of fraud after his details, including a banking card, were used to open an account at the Edgars store last year, but it has never been attended to. Another resident, Teboho Maleke, said the recent allegations made by the KwaZulu-Natal commissioner, Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, worsened the situation. 'This shows why these people have been failing to deal with crime in our communities. There are a lot of drug dealers around here who are well-known, but they have never been arrested. This also proved that the rot starts from the top, which explains why they are failing to discipline their employees,' he said. The HSRC also stated that Mkhwanazi's allegations represent another decisive moment for policing in South Africa, the outcome of which will have a significant bearing on the project to rebuild public trust. Mkhwanazi implicated senior SAPS officials in corruption during his recent media briefing, claiming that police have failed to act on evidence tying firearms to high-profile killings, including those of prominent South African artists. He accused Police Minister Senzo Mchunu of sabotaging critical crime-fighting efforts by ordering the disbandment of the Political Killings Task Team — a unit established in 2018 under President Cyril Ramaphosa's inter-ministerial committee (IMC) to tackle politically motivated murders. Mkhwanazi alleged that Mchunu, in collaboration with Deputy Commissioner General Shadrack Sibiya, withdrew 121 case dockets from the team in March 2025, leaving them untouched at the SAPS headquarters in Pretoria, despite five being ready for arrests. He also claimed that Mchunu was in constant communication with criminal syndicates, naming a businessman, Vusimuzi 'Cat' Matlala, and an associate, Mr Brown Mogotsi (also referred to as Mahodi or Maki in various statements), as key players funding Mchunu's political activities. The survey also found that well-publicised instances of police abuse or failure can also seem to reduce public confidence, while perceptions of police corruption also had a strong, negative effect on police confidence. Meanwhile, South Africa has a high crime rate and is considered a dangerous country, particularly for violent crimes. According to the SAPS, 5,727 people were murdered during the first quarter of 2025, which is between January and March, 10,688 people were raped, while 11,111 common robberies, and 35,374 commercial crimes were reported. Independent crime and policing consultant, Dr Johna Burger, said the declining levels of trust and confidence in the SAPS over the last two decades were predictable, adding that the National Development Plan of 2012, Parliament's Detective Dialogue Report of September 2012, and the 2018 report by the Panel of Experts on how to strengthen and improve the SAPS, are some of the reasons for this decline as none of the recommendations were implemented. 'The SAPS have, over the years, and in many instances, abused their own appointment and promotion policies, enabling them to appoint persons into senior positions for which they were not suitably qualified. The recent highly publicised appointment of a female brigadier from outside the police in Crime Intelligence is a good example. 'Also, the SAPS' internal disciplinary processes have all but collapsed, leading to a loss of accountability and demonstrating poor command and control. E.g., between 2012 and 2024, disciplinary hearings decreased by 70%. This decline led to a 483% increase in civil claims for various types of poor and unlawful conduct by its members, paid out by the SAPS,' Burger said. Gareth Newham, head of the Justice and Violence Prevention Programme at the Institute for Security Studies (ISS), said this is because there is corruption within the police and many officials who are not interested in their job. ISS manager of the crime and justice information and analysis hub, Lizette Lancaster, said trust in law enforcement is critical for policing to succeed because they can greatly influence how a civilian interacts with a SAPS member, potentially impacting the outcome of a situation, including whether they cooperate, whether a situation escalates, or whether a person feels comfortable reporting a crime or coming forward as a witness. She said ISS made several recommendations to strengthen policing in South Africa in 2024. These include suggestions on how to restore pride in the profession and uniform. Lancaster said for this to succeed, measurable improvements are needed in recruitment, training, performance management and accountability mechanisms. The principal investigator of the study, HSRC's Dr Benjamin Roberts, said this analysis provides context on the extent and nature of the challenge, highlighting variations and drivers of public perceptions on policing. He said the findings are expected to inform interventions aimed at restoring public faith in the police. 'The findings of this study underscore the urgent need for SAPS to prioritise building public trust and confidence. By adopting a more community-focused and accountable approach to policing, we can work towards creating safer and more secure communities for all South Africans,' he said. [email protected]
IOL News
4 hours ago
- IOL News
Public tired of costly inquiries, says Free SA
The pointed campaign follows President Cyril Ramaphosa's announcement of a fresh commission of inquiry into allegations of corruption involving Police Minister Senzo Mchunu. Ironically, Free SA had itself called for such an inquiry — but now says its own members, and a recent survey, reveal a deep crisis of confidence in both the police and the state's use of inquiries to tackle wrongdoing. CIVIL society group Free SA has launched a sharp new public campaign challenging South Africans to ask a question that many have been whispering for years: Do we still trust commissions of inquiry? According to Free SA, only 22% of South Africans trust the South African Police Service. The organisation says this reflects a wider breakdown in faith across the justice system, and commissions of inquiry, once seen as vital democratic tools, are increasingly viewed as costly exercises that yield little real accountability. 'Our members feel strongly that commissions of inquiry have become elaborate theatre — lavishly funded performances with no closing act,' said Free SA spokesperson Reuben Coetzer. 'South Africans are weary of watching inquiry after inquiry, only to see the implicated promoted, protected, or quietly forgotten.' While acknowledging that commissions of inquiry are constitutionally legitimate, Free SA argues that they have become political shields rather than genuine instruments of justice. South Africa's recent history offers ample evidence to fuel this scepticism. The Zondo Commission into State Capture, which cost taxpayers over R1 billion, exposed shocking corruption but has resulted in few high-level prosecutions. The Marikana Commission, set up after police killed 34 striking miners in 2012, produced a report but brought little real accountability for those who gave the orders. 'The credibility crisis is not just about one minister or one commission,' Coetzer said. 'It's about the erosion of democratic trust. We don't need more commissions, we need action. We need prosecutions, resignations, recoveries of stolen funds, and above all, leadership that respects the intelligence of its people.'
