South Africa: The Premier of the Free State province, Honourable Sefora Ntombela, has learnt with sadness about the death of a three-year-old boy allegedly at the hands of his father.
Three year – old Motivation Radebe was walking with his mother Sesi to report the suspect, Bafana Radebe, to the police in Warden. This is after Bafana allegedly tried to strangle Sesi at her home.
She managed to escape him and, together with her son, quickly made her way to the police station to report him. Unbeknownst to her, Bafana was quietly on their trail, and as they approached Cornelius River, he pounced on them and tried, in vain, to push Sesi into the river. Fortunately, she was able to escape him.
He turned his focus on their petrified child’s Motivation and, undeterred by the baby’s cries, he lifted his tiny body up and, without batting an eyelid, threw him into the raging river. Search and rescue teams retrieved the two bodies on Sunday, 03 July 2022, which were later positively identified by the family.
Premier Ntombela said women and children continue to bear the brunt of vicious violence perpetrated by men. She also appealed to society to work together in uprooting violence against women and children and report perpetrators to the police.
“Once again, a defenceless child has lost his life, allegedly at the hands of his own father. The alleged perpetrator, true to their character, was not man enough to face up to his demons and took a coward’s way out by drowning himself in the river without having to answer for his actions.
With this latest killing, we are once again reminded of the arduous task that lies before all of us of collectively fighting violence against women and children.
The perpetrator of this despicable act is not worthy of being called a man or a father. He is a small, cowardly thug who preys on the weak and vulnerable. The mother did the right thing by trying to report the matter to the police. Unfortunately, she was overpowered by a maniac who was determined to bring her misery.
On behalf of the Free State Provincial Government, I would like to convey my condolences to the grieving family,” said Premier Ntombela.
