Eastern Cape’s Child Pregnancy Crisis: 85 Girls Aged 10–14 Have Given Birth Since April

An alarming surge in child pregnancies has rocked the Eastern Cape, with 117 children aged just 10 to 14 giving birth in public hospitals between April and July. The stats paint a grim picture, over 4,700 births by teens aged 15 to 19 in the same period. Authorities are now urging communities to report sexual abuse and protect vulnerable girls. Phemelo speaks to Social Development spokesperson Mphumzi Zuzile about this deeply troubling trend and what’s being done to address it.