A two-year-old boy in Ramotse village was allegedly reported to have been killed by a rat inside a tin shack last week Friday 17 June 2022 while he was asleep.
When the police attended the scene, the mother reported that they have realized in the morning that the child is not alive and suspected that he was beaten by a rat while sleeping, and because of the illness he was having, he was unable to move or cry.
The station Commander of Temba SAPS, Brigadier Johannes Tau, said he is touched by the saddened passing of the boy and concerned because the family of 15 are staying together in a small shack and wanted the police to assist in whatever way they can so that the family can bury the child with dignity.
The Brigadier urged the police to work together with other stakeholders to assist the family which is currently depending on the kids’ social grants to survive.
Sergeant Herman Moremi of Corporate Communication SAPS Temba said the Police together with the community policing forum (CPF) donated vegetables today, and Makopo Constructions managed to donate ten blankets and groceries that can assist the family.
Brigadier Tau said this is the only way that the police can gain trust and respect from the community if they can put themselves in the shoes of the vulnerable and poor people in the community.
“It is time to remove that stigma from the community about the negativeness of the police and show them that we care about the lives of our people. If we are depressed about the situation, what about those kids who are sleeping on the floor with an empty stomach,” he said.
He appreciated the efforts and the teamwork of the police and CPF and the stakeholders for arranging everything quickly after receiving the news.
The police are currently investigating a case of an inquest and still waiting for the post-mortem results to confirm the cause of death.
“The 27-year-old mother could not hold back the tears after seeing the support she received from SAPS and other sponsors,” said Sargeant Moremi.