Abstract

Background: The incidence of child homicide varies from country to country, and also from region to region within the same country. It is always under-researched, therefore under-estimated and under-reported, especially in the rural parts of South Africa.

Objective: To study the incidence of child homicide in the Transkei sub-region of South Africa from 1996 to 2014.

Method: An autopsy record review study at the Forensic Pathology Laboratory at Mthatha for a period of 19 years (1996-2014).

Results: Between 1996 and 2014, over a period of 19 years, 4,713 unnatural deaths were registered in the Transkei sub-region. The average rate of child homicide was 30 per 100,000 of the population of children. The rate of child homicide decreased from 31.8 per 100,000 in 1996 to 23.1 per 100,000 in 2014. The commonest method of homicide was stabbing, with an average rate of 12/100,000. Male child homicide occurred at an average rate of 21/100,000, and female child homicide at an average rate of 9/100,000. The male-to-female ratio is therefore 2.33:1 in this study.

Conclusion: The incidence of child homicide in the Transkei sub-region of South Africa is high. It is a serious matter of concern.

Keywords: Homicide; Murder; Stab injury; Assault; Gunshot