Community Turns to Mob Justice After KZN Woman Chained Her Child and Left, SA Furious: "Cruelty"
- Community members assaulted a KwaZulu-Natal woman for cruel actions against her daughter
- The woman, who lives in an informal settlement in Redcliffe, Durban, reportedly chained her daughter to a rafter and left her alone
- South Africans applauded the community for looking out for the child but were left heartbroken by the little girl's traumatic experienced
- Speaking to Briefly News, Mental Health advocate Candice Lambert explained that the young girl will need psychological interventions
DURBAN - Community members of an informal settlement in Redcliffe, KwaZulu-Natal, attacked a woman for allegedly shackling her child while she was away.
Source: Getty Images
In a statement seen by Briefly News, Reaction Unit South Africa (RUSA) spokesperson Prem Balram says the seven-year-old little girl was spotted inside a shack chained to a rafter.
Community retaliates against mom
Balarm explained that RUSA received a call requesting assistance on Sunday, 20 August, about a mother being assaulted by a mob.
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The caller stated that a few residents were walking past the woman's home when they noticed the child shackled in metal chains.
"The chain was fastened with a lock. The opposite end was secured to a rafter along the roof. The child is believed to be approximately seven years old," said Balram.
It is believed that the mother chained her child before leaving the house earlier that morning. When she returned home, community members began assaulting her with sticks.
She ran away from the crowd and locked herself in the house.
Woman and child taken away
Balram explained that when RUSA officers arrived at the scene, they were met by the crowd and police officers from Verulam SAPS.
The woman and her young daughter were taken away by the police and transported to the police station.
Psychologist weighs in on the impact the incident has on the child
Speaking exclusively to Briefly News, Candice Lambert, Mental Health advocate and Director at Kids Dialogue, says a number of factors need to be considered regarding this case.
Lambert says we must first look into why the mother decided to chain her child. Although the behaviour is not excusable, Lambert says the mother might have been desperate because she did not have any help at the time and felt that chaining her child was the best way to keep her safe.
She added that the mother might have chained the child to the rafter as a form of punishment.
What is essential in this situation is for the child to receive psychological help because such a traumatic event can change the brain.
For the child, there is a concern in terms of the emotional consequences and the long-term impact that this might have on the child. Compassion, care, and positive affirmation impact and increase resilience and build a protective factor for future stress or trauma or just general management of life.
It is highly recommended that the child receive immediate intervention with a qualified therapist because just as much as trauma changes our brain, so do counselling, healing and other supportive interventions," said Lambert.
Mzansi furious at mom who shackled her kid
The epened in the informal settlement in Redcliffe made many South Africans angry. Many commended the community for standing up for the little girl.
Here's what they had to say:
Niren Singh said:
"Good work by the community, she deserves what she got, how can a mother be so cruel to her own child? Well done, community, you earned my respect!"
Rosch Naidoo said:
"Glad the community took care of this. Humanity is everyone’s business collectively. The child needs counselling. The mother needs a mental home…"
Bongani DBongs Mthembu commented:
"No excuse or justification for this cruelty..."
Megan-Jodelle Jasmin said:
"This woman is mentally unstable. My heart aches for this child. "
Nerisha Kemraj Ramjiwan said:
"Sad to see. It's likely that this was done due to having no access/means to daycare facilities. On the one hand, the mother wants the child to be safe at home, on the other hand, she is being cruel to go through such extreme measures..."
Abusive Gauteng mom arrested
Briefly News previously reported that an abusive mother was arrested after a viral video of her brutally assaulting her young child caused widespread outrage on social media.
Police officers arrested the woman after the toddler's father opened a case at the Norwood Police Station. The child was also taken away from the woman and handed over to the Department of Social Development to be placed in a safe children's home.
According to social media, the lady filmed herself kicking her child to get back at the father, who had allegedly broken up with her.
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Source: Briefly News
Lebogang Mashego (Current Affairs HOD) Lebogang Mashego runs the Current Affairs desk. She joined the Briefly News team in 2021. She has 6 years of experience in the journalism field. Her journalism career started while studying at Rhodes University, where she worked for the Oppidan Press for 3 years. She worked as a lifestyle writer and editor at W24 and Opera News. She graduated with a BA degree majoring in Journalism and Media Studies in 2017. She's a recipient of the INMA Elevate Scholarship. Email: lebogang.mashego@briefly.co.za
Candice Lambert (Mental health advocate and director at Kids Dialogue) Candice Lambert, with a background in neuroscience coaching, psychology, and business strategy, is currently pursuing her Master’s in Neuropsychology. She leads the Wellness Dialogue Group, supporting families with the Teddy Clinic and Life Healthcare. She’s also involved with the NPO Healthy Future Kids and runs the World Changers Holiday Club for children. Candice has been a featured speaker on TV and radio, including 702 and Newzroom Afrika, and serves as a resident coach on INX Prime Live.
