Government welcomes closing of day-care centre

GCIS acting chief executive Phumla Williams has welcome the closing of the Petite Bumper Day-care Centre. Image: GCIS

The Department of Social Development and police closed the centre on Wednesday (9 April) following reports that the owner had allegedly bound a little girl and gagged her in order to quietly watch television.

Images of the girl trying to free herself inside the day-care's bathroom were carried in the Daily Sun newspaper on Tuesday (8 April). The unregistered day-care was allegedly run from the owner's home.

In a statement issued by the Government Communication and Information System (GCIS), government described the incident as "heinous abuse".

GCIS acting chief executive Phumla Williams said: "Abuse and violence against children will not be tolerated in our country. South Africa's Constitution makes clear provision for the protection of children's rights. A child has a right to be protected from maltreatment, neglect, abuse or degradation".

Engage with staff

She said government encouraged parents to engage with staff and owners of facilities where they leave their children and determine if they are legally registered.

This could be done through the verification of a registration certificate, which includes important information such as the number of children for which the premises are suitable and the hours of operation.

"Parents must insist on seeing a copy of the Department of Social Development registration certificate. It is the responsibility of parents to ensure that their children are in a place that is safe and secure, and to be aware and vigilant of the establishment's supervision, routine and discipline procedures.

"It takes a village to raise a child, and we are all expected to play our part in protecting, defending and loving the children of South Africa," said Williams.

She added that parents were encouraged to contact their nearest Social Development offices to determine the validity of certificates.

Government further urged communities to report any form of abuse and violence against children to their nearest police station or contact Childline on 0800 055 555.