A Cape Town family has sent shockwaves through their communities after it was revealed they were selling their 11-year-old daughter for a measly R100.
A video of a resident in the Masincedane Informal Settlement in Strandfontein appealing for assistance for the young girl has since gone viral on social media platforms.
IOL has seen the video and will not be sharing to protect the identity of the minor girl.
In the video, the resident explains that the 11-year-old girl is being sold for sex by her parents. He explained he had approached the father about this and claimed the father stated the girl should work for the household as he had no money.
Image: Supplied
This has caused an outcry after word spread about the incident.
A resident from outside the informal settlement told IOL that once he entered the informal settlement, people allegedly said the father said it’s fine”laat sy haar toet verkoop” (let her sell herself).
“This child is being sold for R100.”
The video, which soon reached the Strandfontein Community Policing Forum (CPF), resulted in action and arrests.
Speaking to IOL, Strandfontein CPF chairperson Sandy Schuter explained that fighting for the most vulnerable in her community was a non-negotiable.
“When this recent, devastating case was brought to my attention, I refused to let go until everyone involved was arrested before the sunset. Justice for our children is non-negotiable, and swift action is the only acceptable standard. Crimes committed against our children do not just injure an individual; they strike at the very heart and soul of our community,” Schuter said.
Image: File
She said these atrocities shatter the safe environments that every child deserves, replacing innocence and security with fear and trauma.
“Every offense against a child is a profound indictment of our society, threatening our future and leaving a collective scar on the resilience of the entire community.
We cannot afford to look away, nor can we wait for tragedy to strike before we mobilise.
We have a responsibility to act: parents, residents, community leaders, and our social services and safety agencies alike,” Schuter said.
She said protecting children requires constant vigilance, zero tolerance for perpetrators, and a united front that says enough is enough.
“The Strandfontein CPF remains fully committed to standing watch and fighting tirelessly for the safety and justice our children deserve,” Schuter said.
The parents were both arrested; however, the child’s mother was released. The man who is believed to have ‘bought’ the young girl was also arrested.
Image: Henk Kruger/ANA Studios
The provincial police spokesperson, Sergeant Wesley Twigg, confirmed the arrests.
“In response to your media enquiry, kindly be advised that the mentioned case is a rape and sexual exploitation case involving an 11-year-old girl. The circumstances surrounding the incident are under investigation,” Twigg said.
The suspects have since appeared in the Mitchells Plain Magistrate’s Court.
“We can confirm that two suspects aged 20 and 47 appeared in the Mitchell’s Plain Magistrates’ Court today, August 11, 2026, where they were remanded in custody for a formal bail application,” Twigg said.
Concerns from residents were also highlighted after it was stated there were other minor children in the household.
Further reports claim that the social worker who oversees the children allegedly tried getting assistance from the Department of Social Development (DSD). Once she received the video, she was told staff were “on a course”.
IOL reached out to DSD for comment.
Western Cape MEC for Social Development, Jaco Londt, confirmed that his office was aware of the matter and is cooperating with the police’s Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences (FCS) Unit’s investigation.
“The Department has lodged an internal investigation regarding the claims of a delay in the response, and will identify and address any gaps to improve our service. Contact details for the after-hours social workers are made available to all police stations, where reports can also be made. The department has a formal complaints mechanism, as displayed at the local office. Clients who feel dissatisfied with the service received can lodge a complaint via the local office to the Social Work Supervisor or Manager, or via the toll-free number 0800 220 250 or email: SDCustomerCare@westerncape.gov.za. No formal complaint has been received about this matter,” Londt said.
The suspects are expected to apply for bail on Monday, August 17.
“We will be opposing bail. As the Strandfontein CPF, we want to make it unequivocally clear that we will ensure that no stone is left unturned in any matter regarding our most vulnerable, especially our children,” Schuter said.
