Shocking increase in child abuse cases

Child protection groups have warned of a shocking increase in child abuse and crimes against children in Cape Town, particularly in areas such as Manenberg and Guguletu. Some have labelled the province one of the most unsafe places for children in South Africa. In addition to the many killings and abductions, abused children often have to spend more than a year on long government waiting lists before they receive counselling. Social Services and Poverty Alleviation spokesperson Simphiwe Xako told the Cape Times while the delay was due to a lack of counsellors, they would be employing more by the 1st of April.