More than 350 children murdered in South Africa between October and December 2021

Violence against children in South Africa surged in late 2021 with a 30% jump in attempted murders and 352 children killed, according to new figures released today by South African Police Minister Bheki Cele.

Figures for October until the end of December showed 394 children were victims of attempted murders while the number of children killed dropped 5.6% from a year ago.

In total, 6,859 people, including the 352 children, were murdered in South Africa in the last three months of 2021, an increase of almost 9% compared to a year earlier, according the latest police data.

Save the Children CEO, Steve Miller said:

“We are appalled by these figures. They strike to the heart of every parent, every citizen. We are horrified by the senseless killing of children and the increase in attempted murders of children. Each of these children that were killed, were robbed of the chance to life and robbed of their futures. They have left grieving family and loved ones. One child murdered is one child too many.

“Violence against children must not, cannot be tolerated. We need to work towards ensuring that no children are murdered in our country in the coming year. A 5.6% decline is not good enough.”

Save the Children calls on the government to take drastic measures to create a safe environments for our children. South Africa has committed to the realisation of children’s rights, through its Constitution, the National Development Plan 2030,the fourth National Plan of Action for Children that was endorsed by Cabinet on 21st of October 2020, the National Child Care and Protection Policy and other international obligations. It is time that we honour these obligations and do whatever it takes for children – every day.

In South Africa, Save the Children implements programmes to protect chidren at risk of violence and abuse. This includes promoting the use of positive discipline and leading lobbying efforts for the banning of corporal punishment in the home; implementing targeted and effective programmes to prevent and respond to violence against children; and supporting innovative models for addressing the root causes of violence.

For further enquiries please contact:

• Yani Horn  yhorn@savethechildren.org.za
• Daphnee Cook daphnee.cook@savethechildren.org / +254 717 524 904
• We have spokespeople available in South Africa.
• Our media out of hours (BST) contact is media@savethechildren.org.uk / +44(0)7831 650409