Neelam Rahim | neelam@radioislam.co.za

2 min read
03 December 2022 | 6:14 pm CAT

South Africans were appalled by the recent murder of four children in the Eastern Cape, allegedly by their mother. She died in the hospital shortly after collapsing in court. However, this is just one of many murders of children allegedly at the hands of their parents.

Dr Melanie Moen of the University of Stellenbosch and Professor Christiaan Bezuidenhout from the University of Pretoria delved into revenge child killings and possible motives in cases committed between 2003 and 2021.

In an interview with Radio Islam International, Dr Moen said in South Africa, the idea of family murder is committed by around 2.5 percent of all murders.

According to Dr Moen, the research was conducted specifically on court documents and newspaper articles.

She said the findings suggest the crimes result from one parent trying to hurt the other, termed as a narcissistic rage as parents feel out of control in many cases.

“The absolute rage is one way they feel they can restore some control,” she says.

Listen to the interview with Mufti Yusuf Moosagie and Dr Melanie Moen on Radio Islam Podcast.