In the aftermath of the murders of two young girls in less than two weeks, and while the search for a third continues, forensic pathologists shockingly revealed that in the previous six months, they investigated 193 cases involving children and teens, 86 of which were homicides.
Also read: Reward offered for information leading to location of missing Joshlin Smith
Mikaeel Oliver (18) made a chilling confession in court last week while charged with the murder of Monneashia Prins, who was 11 years old.
Monneashia, from the Ithemba Farms informal settlement, went missing on February 9 and was last seen allegedly walking with her neighbour, Oliver.
A day after she disappeared, the child’s body was discovered hidden in a canal.
Joshlin Smith, a 6-year-old from Saldanha on the West Coast, was last seen on February 19.
She was left at home with her mother’s boyfriend because she was ill. When the mother returned from work, her daughter was not present.
A massive search is underway. On January 30, Firdous Kleinsmidt, 12, a Grade 7 student at Ieglaasi Nieyah Primary School in Mitchells Plain, was shot and killed while waiting for her scholar transport.
Lorenzo Brown is facing a murder charge, and the State has revealed that a previous murder case was provisionally withdrawn in 2022.
Speaking to the Weekend Argus, Megan Davids, communications officer for the Department of Health and Wellness, explained that their forensic department stated that while their primary function was to determine the cause of death, they continued to support and promote interventions to reduce child deaths through pivotal collaborations.
She went on to say that over the last six months, the Western Cape Department of Health and Wellness Forensic Pathology Services had recorded 523 tragic deaths involving children.
Accidents, homicide, suicide and sudden, unexpected death in infancy (Sudi) were some of the causes of death.
A number of deaths are still being investigated.
According to Davids, this is due to the need for additional investigation to help determine the final cause of death.
She tabled the following: accidents: 88 deaths; homicide: 86 deaths; suicide: 18 deaths; road traffic incidents: 65 deaths; Sudi: 8 deaths; natural causes: 65 deaths; and, under investigation: 193 deaths.
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Suspect detained in connection with murder of 11-year-old girl
Picture: David von Diemar/Unsplash
