Police have arrested a woman (22) from Langa who allegedly poured boiling water on a 5-year-old boy who was playing with friends near the front gate of the woman’s house.
It is believed that the woman poured the boiling water on the child in an attempt to deter him from playing at her gate.
Despite the incident taking place on 24 June 2023, the woman was only arrested on 6 July 2023, after a protest by outraged Langa residents who marched to the police station and called for justice to be served in the case of the child.
Also read: Authorities failed children in sleepover murder, say activists
As reported by IOL, Yonela Mnyombolo, the boy’s aunt, expressed the family’s distress, particularly due to the woman not being immediately arrested following the incident.
‘We are not okay, because this has caused the child lifelong scars and trauma. He is recovering, we take him to the clinic for his check-ups.
‘The children had been playing in front of the home when an angry woman came marching out with a kettle full of boiling water and poured it on Unako.
‘The family and residents tried to confront her to ask why she did it, and she became aggressive and admitted to burning the child. We want justice hence we came to the police to ask for an update because ever since the case was opened, they have never said anything to us. We have forgiven the family after her parents came to ask for forgiveness, but we want justice,’ said Mnyombolo.
Police spokesperson FC van Wyk said, ‘An assault with the intent to do grievous bodily harm case (GBH) was registered at Langa SAPS for investigation, following the injuries of a 5-year-old boy child sustained on 2023-06-24.
‘The case was transferred to Bishop Lavis FCS for further investigation. A 22-year-old suspect was arrested on Thursday, 2023-07-06 and is due to appear in court once charged.’
Also read:
Picture: Google Maps
