Department to provide counselling assistance to family of slain 7 month-old baby

The Western Cape Department of Social Development (DSD) has dispatched social workers to the family of the brutally murdered 7 month-old baby in Philippi.

Social workers will provide necessary trauma counselling to the family and will assess whether any further intervention and assistance is needed by the family.

We condemn the brutal murder of this innocent child in the strongest terms possible. As the custodians of the Children’s Act of 2005, we will render any assistance required by the police in tracking down the alleged killer.

We continue to appeal to parents and families who may be experiencing emotional difficulty and/or family violence, to approach our social workers for counselling and therapy interventions. Children, and women, should never become the casualties of domestic disputes.

Ensuring the safety and care of children requires a whole-of-society approach. Residents can report any abandoned, abused, neglected or missing children to the police or to the DSD Hotline on 0800 220 250. Alternatively, the public can seek assistance from our social workers at any of our local offices closest to them.