Philippi infanticide – Minister Plato calls for community’s assistance

Statement by Dan Plato, Western Cape Minister of Community Safety

I condemn in the strongest possible terms the brutal murder of 7-month-old Inganathi Mnandi. I am calling on anyone with information on the whereabouts of the suspect to report it to the police.

If anyone with information would like to remain anonymous they can call CrimeLine on 08600 10111

The savage murder of an innocent baby requires all of us to help in making sure the person responsible faces the authorities.

I urge the community of Philippi to support the bereaved mother and family and provide any and all information on the whereabouts of the suspect to the South African Police Service (SAPS), so that an arrest can be made.

I thank the Western Cape Department of Social Development who have already indicated that they will be supporting the family. I will in the days to come visit the family to pay my respects and will, as part of my oversight mandate over policing in the province, monitor the police’s progress on the investigation.

Just more than a month since we observed the 16 Days of Activism Campaign for No Violence Against Women and Children, we are faced with another tragic violent death of a child. Those who harm the innocent in our communities; who show a total disregard for the safety of children in the province; and who choose violence above all reason, should face the full might of the law.

The person responsible for this heinous act is someone’s child, someone’s neighbour, someone’s friend or acquaintance. Safer communities can only be a reality if we all take responsibility for our own safety and the safety of those around us. If you know of a crime being committed against someone you know, or if you know the criminal responsible, it is your responsibility to report the information to your nearest police station for investigation.

Let 2016 be the year we stand up against the injustices and crimes perpetrated against members of our communities, especially against those who choose to harm the most vulnerable.