In separate cases of child abuse, the magistrate’s court in Bloemfontein on Tuesday found two parents guilty of the offence.
The guilty verdicts followed thorough investigations by members of the Mangaung family violence, sexual offences and child protection unit.
In the first case, a 46-year-old father from Caleb Motshabi location in Kagisanong was charged for assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.
He was sentenced to five years imprisonment wholly suspended for five years.
The father was charged and convicted for assaulting his 14-year-old daughter over a period of time.
The court heard that the victim allegedly resorted to attempted suicide on December 9 2022 as a result of the abuse.
Soon after the failed attempt to take her life, a neighbour blew the whistle on the abuse.
In the second case, a 32-year-old mother from Denne Laan plot in Bloemspruit in Bloemfontein is said to have left her children without any supervision.
She was sentenced to four years imprisonment for child abuse wholly suspended for five years.
The children, aged 12 and 13, were hungry and tired when they decided to approach the Bloemspruit police station for help.
Upon probing them, it was discovered that their mother had abandoned them and a case of child neglect was opened for investigation.
Police spokesperson Sergeant Ikobeng Hlubi said all the affected children have been housed at a place of safety.
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