TSHWANE - The Department of Social Development is urging parents to be more vigilant when selecting caregivers for their children.
This follows the arrest of a childminder in Jeffreys Bay, Eastern Cape, after a two-year-old child was found with open wounds.
The elderly woman was reportedly under the influence of alcohol and could not explain the toddler's wounds.
She's scheduled to appear in court on Tuesday, facing charges of child neglect and assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.
Department of Social Development's Acting Chief Director of Communications, Sandy Godlwana says the rise in cases of child abuse and neglect is deeply concerning.
She says the department has intensified public awareness campaigns and implemented a 365-day action plan focused on child protection.
Godlwana adds that the department operates a gender-based violence centre where they can attend to all the cases and calls from members of the public or those affected.
This, she says, allows them to act in providing immediate counselling and refer them to either law enforcement or hospitals and clinics where they can be attended to.