Alleged Child Rape And Murder Case

Correspondent | Monday December 4, 2017 14:07

 

Child line Botswana has noted with concern the recent report where it is alleged that a 9 year old child was raped and murdered in White City Gaborone.

We wish to first and foremost express our deepest and heartfelt condolences to the family of this innocent soul. The loss of a child in any manner is a terrible experience but for a child to be lost in so violent a manner is especially tragic.

The death of this child underlines once again the challenges we face as a nation in the protection of our children.

Although we have a beautiful legislation in place, Children’s Act of 2009, we cannot avoid stating that there has been a failure in the implementation of this progressive act in a manner extensive enough to protect the most vulnerable members of our society.

Childline Botswana recognizes that the matter is still under Police investigation and as such there is limited space to call on the relevant authorities to behave or respond in a certain way. 

We however wish that this tragedy wakes the country to the peril faced by our children on a day to day basis. We call on those working with children to come together and assist in all ways possible to curb the abuse of children in general.

We further call on parents to be far more vigilant in the protection of their children. While in the past it was easy to entrust the care of your children to both relative and non-relatives, we cannot deny the realities of the world of today that requires us to mistrust, as a point of departure some of those we live with for the sake of our children. 

This is particularly critical in light of lack of commitment to the establishment of an easily accessible sex offender’s registry as recommended by the 2009 Children’s Act.We shall follow with keen interest the processes around this tragedy in the hope that it will be dealt with not only expeditiously, but with the awareness of the need to re-look at our commitment to child protection.

 

Childline Botswana

P. O. Box 202195,

Bontleng Gaborone  

Toll free: 0800300900

Tel: 3900900 Fax: 3165824

Email: childlinebotswana@gmail.com