Social Development Minister, Sisisi Tolashe, has called for urgent and coordinated national action to protect children from abuse, neglect and exploitation, warning that rising cases of child sexual abuse and teenage pregnancy remain a “national disgrace”.
Speaking at the official launch of Child Protection Month in eDumbe Local Municipality, KwaZulu-Natal, on Sunday, Tolashe said South Africa was fighting a battle of a different kind to defend children from harm.
“Today, we meet here to fight a battle of a different kind, to defend and protect the rights of the most vulnerable in our society, our children from abuse, neglect and exploitation,” she said.
The launch took place in a historically significant area, where the Minister referenced the Battle of Isandlwana as a symbol of courage and resistance, drawing parallels with the current fight to protect children.
Tolashe raised concern over increasing reports of child abuse and exploitation, citing national data showing a worrying upward trend.
“Recent data from the quarterly crime statistics and the National Child Protection Register show a worrying upward trend in reported cases of child abuse, neglect and exploitation,” she said.
She added that child sexual exploitation remained particularly alarming, with thousands of cases reported nationally, alongside rising statutory rape cases.
Teenage pregnancy also came under sharp focus, with the Minister highlighting that more than 100,000 children and teenagers experience unintended pregnancies annually. She further revealed that in KwaZulu-Natal alone, 375 cases of pregnancy among children aged 10 to 14 were reported in the 2025/2026 third quarter.
While acknowledging improvements in adolescent birth rates, Tolashe said the scale of the problem remained unacceptable.
“South Africa’s adolescent pregnancy rate remains more than five times the global average. MEC Shinga and Nyambose, you will agree with me that this is a national disgrace, and we must work together… to root out this national disgrace,” she said.
The Minister said the Child Protection Month Programme is aimed at mobilising society to address child vulnerability, abuse, neglect and harmful practices, including those linked to cultural and religious settings.
She specifically referenced recent action taken in KwaMaphumulo, where children were removed from the Ikhaya Labafundi Mission.
“Let me make myself very clear before I get misunderstood or misquoted. Section 15 (1) of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa guarantees faith communities the right to express and practice their faith freely without government interference,” she said.
However, she emphasised that government would act decisively where children’s rights are violated.
“So, let me once again set the record straight, we removed the 19 children from Ikhaya Labafundi, not because we have anything against the organisation or its leader, Vusumuzi Sibiya. As a government, we will act decisively without any hesitation, fear or favour when religious or cultural practices violate the rights of children enshrined in our Constitution,” she said.
Tolashe stressed the importance of collaboration between government, traditional leaders, faith-based organisations and communities, saying protecting children is a collective responsibility.
“As we officially launch the Child Protection Month Programme here today, we rededicate ourselves as government to building caring communities that nurture and protect children,” she said.
She also reflected on 30 years of South Africa’s Constitution, highlighting progress in social protection, including expanded child grants, improved access to education, early childhood development services and strengthened child-focused legislation such as the Children’s Act and Child Justice Act.
Tolashe urged parents and caregivers to report cases of abuse rather than conceal them, warning against transactional abuse driven by poverty.
“No matter how poor your family is, stop shielding the perpetrators by accepting money, cattle or goats as inhlawulo,” she said.
She added that perpetrators of abuse must face the full force of the law, particularly in cases of statutory rape, gender-based violence and femicide.
The Minister concluded by officially launching the 2026 Child Protection Month Programme, calling for stronger partnerships and sustained efforts to ensure the safety and well-being of all children.
“It is now my pleasure to declare the 2026 Child Protection Month Programme officially launched,” she said. – SAnews.gov.za
