_: As the search for the killers of the three Limpopo children continues, the Minister for Women, Children and People with Disabilities, Ms Lulu Xingwana, has strongly condemned the killing of three Limpopo children whose bodies were found over the weekend.

“We urge the police to do everything in their power to apprehend the perpetrators. There are murderers on the loose. For as long as they are still roaming our streets, our children are not safe”.

The bodies of Nine-year-old BafanaKekana, Hosea Richard Kekana, 10, and JohanaKekana, 12, were found on Saturday. Their hands and feet were tied up with shoe laces. They had been stoned to death and the girl had been raped before she was killed.

“This extreme form of brutality against innocent children must never go unpunished. I urge the law-enforcement agencies to ensure that those found guilty face the full wrath of our justice system. There must be no mercy shown to perpetrators of this heinous crime”.

The Minister has called on community members to assist the police with whatever information they have that could help the police to find the perpetrators. “We must make sure that these criminals do not have a place to hide”.

“People who derive pleasure from killing and harming our children do not belong to our new democratic society. The children are the future of our nation. They must be protected and nurtured”.

We are also confident that the reintroduction of Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences (FCS) units within the SAPS as announced by the Minister of Police will assist in turning the tide against these crimes.