KwaZulu-Natal Premier Thami Ntuli is encouraging parents to open statutory rape cases against men who impregnate girls below the age of 18. Ntuli and the provincial health MEC welcomed Christmas babies at the Victoria Mxenge Hospital.

By 06h30 on Christmas morning, 47 babies had already been delivered in the province.

Among these mothers are three 15-year-old girls.

“The news that there are 14 and 15-year-old children who were impregnated by the older men – we are worried, and that shows that there’s something wrong in our society. We are worried, and we are hopeful that police do play their role when the reports are made because the unfortunate part is that parents, at times, when such incidents happen, will say we cannot report to the police because maybe the father might take care of a child, whereas to impregnate someone who is a minor, we know that the criminal case. So, it is a serious rape to have any intercourse with a child of that age. So, I encourage parents to go and report to the police,” says Ntuli.

Some of the new parents who delivered their babies at the Victoria Mxenge Hospital shared their joy and excitement.

“I feel special, and I feel like it was just God’s plan. I didn’t know it was going to deliver today, and I think it’s a blessing. It was very painful, but it was worth it, and I’m proud of my baby. I would’ve never met MEC; I would’ve never met him, so I’m proud,” says one of the parents.

Christmas | KZN Health welcomes 47 Christmas babies: