A seven (7) year old boy, reportedly subjected to repeated physical abuse, fled his family home and was found wandering aimlessly in Mhlasini – KZN on Sunday afternoon.
Reaction Unit South Africa (RUSA) responded after receiving a distress call from a concerned member of the public who noticed the minor alone and seemingly disoriented. Upon arrival, Reaction
Officers engaged with the child, who disclosed that he had fled his home to escape frequent beatings at the hands of his parents.
While Officers were attending to the situation, the boy’s father contacted the RUSA Operations Centre to report his son missing. He claimed the child vanished while playing in their yard in the northern region of the Ethekwini Municipality – KZN. The father further admitted that the boy had fled home on at least five (5) previous occasions.
When questioned about the alleged assaults, the father confessed that his wife had beaten the child following an incident where the boy purportedly spied on her in their bedroom while she was naked. He also claimed the child had behavioural issues, attempting to justify the disciplinary measures.
Reaction Officers advised the parents that the matter would be escalated to the South African Police Service (SAPS) for investigation.
Social Workers have since intervened, interviewing the child and relocating him to a secure environment to ensure his safety.
