As South Africa marks Child Protection Week, a wave of violent attacks against children shows the country’s protection systems are failing those who need them most. Human Rights Watch says despite strong laws protecting children, including the constitution and Children’s Act, violence against minors continues at alarming rates.
Recent cases highlight the scope of the problem. Six-year-old Joshlin Smith went missing over a year ago, and her mother was recently convicted of involvement in her kidnapping and trafficking. Other cases include the “Cwecwe rape” case involving a 7-year-old girl, baby Caithlyn Ferreira who was killed by her father at 8 days old, and 15-year-old Sandisa Myeza who was attacked at school by another student.
The numbers paint a grim picture. Save the Children South Africa reports nearly 3,000 children went missing in the past five years. The Teddy Bear Foundation, which works on child abuse cases, said that of more than 5,000 cases it handled between 2019 and 2024, only 4% led to convictions.
From January to March this year alone, South African police recorded 60 rape cases at schools, with 54 victims being students. More than half were attacked by other pupils, while some were assaulted by teachers. Police also received 26,852 reports of child abuse and neglect during the same period.
Human Rights Watch calls on South African authorities to launch urgent, sustained action across multiple sectors to protect children. The group says the government should expand prevention, response, and support services for families, schools, and communities most affected by violence against children.
