Bobonong teen pregnancy crisis
Onalenna Kelebeile | Monday August 25, 2014 17:50
This coupled with the high number of rape cases, 15 cases as at June this year, prompted the police to embark on a house-to-house campaign in partnership with local clusters to sensitise the community about the situation.
Officer Commanding, Selebi-Phikwe Policing District Senior Superintendent Takongwa Mazwiduma said major issues in the campaign that started on Monday last week were rapes and stated that they have recorded three home invasions where perpetrators invaded homes to rape victims. No arrests were made.
“We did the campaigns also in partnership with local schools after realising the high numbers of dropouts recorded this year alone,” he said. He said the number of school dropouts is a shock hence it was necessary for schools to become part of the project. “What is more worrisome is that by law the dropouts are not supposed to be indulging in sexual activities yet very few cases of defilement are reported to the police. Only five defilement cases were reported as at June this year against the high number of teenage pregnancies,” he said.
The police boss attributed this to parents condoning such activities while the priority should be the protection of children for a better future.
He added that the police will continue to educate the community and monitor the situation in partnership with Stepping Stones support group. He further noted that what they discovered during the campaign is that many children live alone in homes while parents stay at the lands hence they lack control and guidance. “Parents must realise the danger of leaving children unattended,” he said.