By: Natasha Archary

The Democratic Alliance (DA) says there have been 16 cases of abuse reported at a foster home in Emfuleni Local Municipality (ELM).
According to the DA, foster children have reported neglect, common assault, rape and sexual abuse at police stations across Gauteng.
This was brought to light when the opposition party submitted questions to the MEC for Social Development in Gauteng.
The DA says the response from the Department was outrageous, stating the Department isn’t aware of any abuse at foster homes.
“The response from the Gauteng MEC for Community Safety, Faith Mazibuko, that 16 cases of abuse of foster children have been opened at police stations across Gauteng is outrageous.
This revelation underscores that the lives and well-being of vulnerable children in foster homes are compromised and not adequately protected.
These reported cases encompasses a range of distressing charges, which include child abuse, child neglect, common assault, rape, and sexual abuse. All the cases opened have not yet been finalised in court.
Shockingly, MEC Hlophe stated that the department is not aware of cases of abuse at foster homes in her response to the DA’s written questions tabled in the Gauteng Provincial Legislature (GPL).”
The DA says the MEC is oblivious to the well-being and safety of 41 863 children in foster homes in the province.
Also read: André de Ruyter has been appointed a senior guest lecturer at Yale University



