Hon Speaker, Cope calls upon the South African Child Gauge of the University of Cape Town's Children's Institute to include child murders and rape in their future reports. It is indeed unacceptable to hear and read about the murder of innocent and vulnerable children. As a matter of fact, is South Africa a place for a child?
The kidnapping, rape and murder of two toddlers by five men in Diepsloot is sickening. Children of South Africa are not safe anywhere. The two toddlers were found in a public toilet cubicle in the early hours of Tuesday between the shacks in Diepsloot. They were reported missing over the weekend, but not enough was done to search for them.
Why is it that missing children are found too late? How many children are still to lose their lives and dignity before the police get the right skills to search and find the victim alive? On the other hand, Cope would like to commend the police for their swift action in arresting the perpetrators of this heinous crime. We are calling on the courts not to give them bail. They must also get harsh sentences, without any possibility of parole. Thank you.