Zuko Komisa
- An alarming rise in child pregnancies has hit the Eastern Cape, with 117 girls aged 10 -14 giving birth in public hospitals between April and July.
- The grim statistics also reveal over 4700 births to teenagers aged 15 -19 in the same period, prompting authorities to urge communities to report sexual abuse.
- Social Development spokesperson Mphumzi Zuzile is calling for vigilance, highlighting the need to protect vulnerable girls and address a systemic failure in safeguarding them.
The Eastern Cape is facing a public health and social crisis following an alarming surge in child pregnancies. Shocking new figures reveal that 117 girls aged just 10 to 14 gave birth in the province’s public hospitals between April and July of this year.
The statistics paint a grim picture, with more than 4700 births to teenagers aged 15 to 19 recorded during the same four-month period. This deeply troubling trend has prompted a major call to action from authorities, who are now urging communities to step up and protect vulnerable girls.
In an interview with Phemelo, Social Development spokesperson Mphumzi Zuzile spoke about the severity of the situation.
“We’re not just seeing a rise in teenage pregnancies, but a devastating increase in pregnancies among very young children,” he said.
“This is not simply a matter of public health; it is a clear sign of a systemic failure to protect our young girls from sexual abuse.”
Listen to the full conversation here:
Zuzile explained that the department is working alongside law enforcement and community organisations to raise awareness and encourage people to report suspected cases of sexual abuse.
The surge has prompted renewed calls for comprehensive, age-appropriate sex education in schools and greater access to reproductive health services.
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