Minister Sisisi Tolashe has called for urgent, coordinated national action to combat rising cases of child abuse, neglect and exploitation in South Africa.
Speaking on May 3, 2026, at the launch of Child Protection Month in KwaZulu-Natal, the minister described the surge in child sexual abuse and teenage pregnancy as a “national disgrace”.
She cited data indicating a steady increase in reported abuse cases, alongside more than 100,000 unintended pregnancies among children and teenagers each year.
In KwaZulu-Natal alone, 375 pregnancies were recorded among girls aged 10 to 14 in the third quarter of the 2025/2026 period.
Tolashe stressed that while constitutional rights protect religious and cultural practices, authorities will act decisively where children’s rights are violated. She referenced the recent removal of 19 children from a mission in KwaMaphumulo as part of such interventions.
The minister underscored the need for collaboration among Government, traditional leaders, faith-based organisations and communities, urging parents to report abuse rather than conceal it. She concluded by officially launching the 2026 Child Protection Month Programme, reaffirming government’s commitment to safeguarding children.