Radzilani sad about the awful murder of a baby

Our office, on behalf of Dr. Phophi Ramathuba, wants to share the deeply saddening news from the Department of Social Development. Ms Florence Radzilani, our MEC for Social Development, has expressed profound sorrow and heartbreak following the tragic murder of a five-month-old infant. This horrific incident, allegedly at the hands of his 18-year-old father, took place in Jimmy Jones Village. This tragedy highlights the critical issue of domestic violence, and we want to assure our community that the Department is committed to providing support and working towards a safer environment for everyone.

Key details of the incident

• Place of incident: Jimmy Jones Village.
• Date of media advisory: 8 October 2025.
• Victim: A five-month-old infant.
• Alleged perpetrator: The infant’s 18-year-old father.
• Key individuals and their roles:
  • Ms Florence Radzilani: MEC responsible for Social Development.
  • Joshua Kwapa: Head of Communications for the Department of Social Development.
  • The child’s mother: Reported the domestic violence incident to the Police.
• Institutions involved:
  • Department of Social Development, Limpopo Provincial Government.
  • The Police (law enforcement).

Media statement details

The MEC for Social Development, Ms Florence Radzilani, has reacted with immense sadness to the tragic death of a five-month-old baby in Jimmy Jones Village. It is alleged that the infant was murdered by his 18-year-old father. This deeply disturbing event came to light after the child’s mother bravely reported an incident of domestic violence to the Police, during which she also disclosed that the infant had been repeatedly harmed by the same individual.

Upon receiving this distressing report, law enforcement quickly went to the residence. There, they made a heartbreaking discovery: the lifeless body of the infant, showing clear signs of severe assault, particularly on the head and face. MEC Radzilani described the loss of an innocent life as a profound tragedy that affects us all deeply, and our hearts go out to the devastated family and the wider community.

The MEC stressed that domestic violence is a serious problem requiring our collective attention and action. She highlighted that the Department of Social Development, through its dedicated social workers, remains steadfast in providing support and counselling to individuals and families experiencing conflict. The aim is to prevent such terrible outcomes, as domestic disputes can often be resolved peacefully with timely intervention and support.

At present, the suspect remains at large, and the Police are actively conducting a manhunt. MEC Radzilani is calling upon all community members to assist law enforcement by providing any information that could lead to the suspect’s apprehension. She emphasised that justice must be served for this innocent infant and that ensuring the safety of all community members is paramount. Furthermore, she urged everyone to unite against violence and work together to foster a safe and caring environment for all our communities.

Benefits to the community and how to participate

The Department of Social Development is here to offer crucial support. Through our social workers, we provide counselling and assistance to individuals and families dealing with conflict. This support aims to help resolve domestic disputes peacefully and prevent tragedies like the one in Jimmy Jones Village. By offering these services, we hope to build stronger, safer families.

For the community to truly benefit and help us achieve a safer environment, we need your active participation. This includes:

• Reporting incidents: If you witness or are aware of any domestic violence, please report it to the Police immediately. Your timely action can save lives.
• Providing information: If you have any information regarding the suspect in this case, or any other criminal activity, please share it with law enforcement. Anonymity can be maintained.
• Seeking support: If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic conflict, please reach out to the Department of Social Development for counselling and support. Our social workers are trained to help.
• Standing against violence: Join us in promoting a culture of peace and care in our communities. By speaking out against violence and supporting those affected, we can collectively create a safer space for everyone, especially our children.

Together, we can ensure that justice is served and prevent future tragedies. You can find more news from the Premier’s Office here.

Questions and answers for the public

Here are some questions and answers that a member of the public might have:

1. Who is Ms Florence Radzilani?
   Ms Florence Radzilani is the MEC (Member of the Executive Council) responsible for the Department of Social Development in the Limpopo Province.
2. What happened in Jimmy Jones Village?
   A five-month-old infant was tragically murdered, allegedly by his 18-year-old father, after being repeatedly harmed.
3. Who is the alleged perpetrator?
   The infant’s 18-year-old father is the alleged perpetrator.
4. What action did the child’s mother take?
   The child’s mother reported an incident of domestic violence against herself to the Police, and also disclosed that the infant had been repeatedly harmed.
5. How did law enforcement respond?
   Law enforcement responded swiftly to the residence and discovered the lifeless body of the infant with visible injuries.
6. What support does the Department of Social Development offer?
   The Department of Social Development provides support and counselling to individuals and families experiencing conflict through its social workers.
7. How can domestic disputes be resolved peacefully?
   According to MEC Radzilani, domestic disputes can be resolved peacefully with timely intervention and support, such as the counselling services offered by the Department of Social Development.
8. Is the suspect apprehended?
   No, the suspect remains at large, and a police manhunt is currently underway.
9. How can the community help in this situation?
   The community is urged to assist law enforcement by providing any information that can lead to the suspect’s apprehension and to stand together against violence.
10. What is the overall message from MEC Radzilani?
    The overall message is that domestic violence is a serious issue requiring collective attention and action. She calls for justice for the innocent infant and for the community to promote a safe, caring environment for all.
11. Who can I contact for more information about the Department of Social Development’s activities?
    For further information, you can contact Joshua Kwapa, the Head of Communications for the Department of Social Development, at 066 497 6282.
12. What are the long-term goals of the Department in preventing similar tragedies?
    The long-term goals include strengthening support and counselling services, promoting peaceful conflict resolution, and fostering a community culture that actively stands against violence and protects vulnerable individuals.
13. Are the counselling services offered by the Department of Social Development confidential?
    While the statement doesn’t explicitly state confidentiality, professional social work services typically operate with strict confidentiality guidelines to encourage individuals to seek help safely. You can confirm this when you contact them.