Cape Town - A 14-year-old girl is making her first appearance in court today after she allegedly stabbed her mother’s boyfriend to death during an apparent altercation between the couple.
Police were called to the scene at the Kampies informal settlement in Ottery on Saturday.
Children’s rights activists who have been on the case since the child’s arrest said they wanted to ensure the correct protocol was being followed by police and the State handling the case – and are appealing to women to leave abusive relationships which affect children’s futures and behaviours.
Police spokesperson, Sergeant Wesley Twigg said: “According to reports the victim was stabbed and declared dead on the scene by medical personnel.
“A 14-year-old female was arrested in connection with the murder and is due to make a court appearance in the Wynberg Magistrate’s court today.”
Gloria Veale, from the organisation, Balls Not Guns is supporting the teen and said as the child is a minor she was liaising with social workers and calling on women to leave abusive relationships which affect children and their home environment.
“What is happening to this teenager is happening not just to her but to others like her, who are exposed to abusive spaces, it has become a norm.
“We believe that in this case, this young girl has been exposed to violence and now only knows a violent response.
“The sense we are getting is that it was a way to protect herself and her mother, which led to a murder.
“No child must feel responsible to protect themselves violently, but this is what is happening in our communities and it is an unacceptable situation.
“We as Balls Not Guns are working hard on creating peaceful environments, that are safe and that our children will know how to respond with love and not just violence, and this is the biggest battle we are facing, that our children just know violence. We need a love revolution, our homes are not safe, and it is not acceptable, here is a young girl whose life will not change.
“I want to plead with our women there who are in abusive relationships to leave because the effect it has on children, it has a negative and serious impact on our children.”