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Mail & Guardian
child deathslatest news & developments
In circulation: Highly hazardous pesticides, including Terbufos, flood informal markets where they are sold
illegally as cheap, effective pest control. Picture: File

SA moves to ban deadly pesticide

Given the rate of deaths in 2023 and 2024, averaging one every second day, a delay of six months or more could mean up to another 100 deaths

Hours after falling into a pit latrine, Michael Komape’s mother still desperately hoping he could be rescued alive, had to sit, looking at the little hand, waiting for social services to come. (Elijar Mushiana/Gallo Images/Sowetan)

The law and the horror of the death of Michael Komape

The Supreme Court of Appeal this week heard argument on why the law, as it now stands, is inadequate to compensate the Komape family

‘It’s hard in winter time: the tents blow over and you become cold. But preparing graves came into my veins.’

Slice of Life: I’ve been digging graves since I was a teen – death has given me a shot at life

A Soweto teenager put himself through school by preparing graves. Now he’s an undertaker, but still gets emotional at the sight of a child’s coffin.

Women are built to create one of the most complicated things on Earth – a human being.

MDGs: Child and maternal health needs critical care

Despite increased efforts to improve child and maternal health, countries are still lagging behind in meeting their Millennium Development Goals.

How corporal punishment’s legality aggravates child abuse

Data shows that over 30% of parents use severe corporal punishment, but the law should not allow it, writes Carol Bower and Wessel van den Berg.

Diepsloot mothers protest the toddler killings. (Oupa Nkosi, M&G)

Diepsloot faces new child murder shock

Gauteng police have opened a murder case after a seven-month-old baby boy was found dead and mutilated in a shack in the township.

Charges withdrawn against four of five accused in Diepsloot toddler killings

Charges against four of five men accused of kidnapping, raping and killing two toddlers in Diepsloot have been withdrawn.

Diepsloot resident protested against the killing of two toddlers in October. (Oupa Nkosi, M&G)

Diepsloot toddler saga: Protesters take to magistrate’s court

Protesters have gathered at the Pretoria Magistrate’s Court where five men were to appear for the rape and murder of two toddlers in Diepsloot.

A schoolboy walks past remnants from a march in protest of the slain toddlers in Diepsloot.

Manhunt on for Diepsloot toddler killer

Police are on the hunt for a man believed to be behind the killings in Diepsloot.

The fear and fury of the mothers of Diepsloot

The killing of two toddlers in Diepsloot has seen residents protest in anger but it is mothers who are affected the most, writes Sarah Evans.

ANC condemns Diepsloot toddler killings

The killing of two toddlers in Diepsloot in the north of Johannesburg is shocking and heart-breaking, says the ANC.

Cotlands resurrected as a haven of hope and learning

ARVs have stopped children dying, now the former Aids hospice is helping them to thrive.

Sub-Saharan Africa ranks lowest for mothers

Having a baby in sub-Saharan Africa is riskier than anywhere else according to the latest State of the World’s Mothers report.

SA failing to reduce child deaths

SA failing to reduce child deaths

Experts point to gross inefficiencies in a dysfunctional healthcare system.

Heartbreak hospital

Thousands of babies die each year from correctable cardiac defects, writes Nosimilo Ndlovu.

Leading the fight against malaria

‘The death of a child has a devastating impact on a woman," says Grace Chitima Mugumbate, a PhD researcher at the University of Cape Town.