DELMAS — A Delmas mother has opened a common assault case after her eight-year-old daughter was allegedly slapped by an employee at a local shop following a dispute over a packet of Disprin that reportedly had an unusual smell.
According to Thandeka Masuku, the incident occurred on Sunday, 31 May 2026, after she sent one of her children to buy Disprin from a shop in Mandela.
Masuku said she became concerned after noticing a strong and unusual smell coming from the medication.
“When the child brought the Disprin home, I put it in my mouth and immediately noticed that it smelled of paraffin, soap and Staysoft. I told the children to take it back because something was not right,” she said.
The children returned to the shop to exchange the Disprin but did not return home for some time.
“When I went to look for them, I found my younger daughter crying. She told me they were beating her brother at the shop,” alleged Masuku.
She said she rushed to the shop, where she found a confrontation underway. It was only after returning home that she learned her daughter had allegedly been assaulted during the incident.
“The little child was still crying when I got home. When I asked her what happened, she told me, ‘Mom, the Indian man slapped me.’ We went back to the shop and I could already see swelling where she had been hit,” she said.
Masuku questioned why a young child had allegedly been assaulted.
“I asked them, ‘How did it get to the point where you beat a small child?’ The older child could at least defend himself, but this little one could not,” she said.
Community members reportedly intervened and attempted to mediate the situation. They also contacted the shop owner, who was allegedly out of town at the time.
The child was initially taken to the N12 Clinic before being referred to hospital for further medical examination.
“At the hospital, they examined her and took her for X-rays. The doctor confirmed that she was badly swollen. Her ear was swollen inside and her cheek was also swollen,” said Masuku.
Following the incident, Masuku reported the matter to police and a common assault case was opened. She said her daughter is recovering following the incident.
The alleged assault occurred during National Child Protection Week, observed from 29 May to 05 June, which focuses on preventing violence against children and promoting their safety and wellbeing.
When approached for comment regarding allegations that one of his employees assaulted the eight-year-old girl, shop owner Woreda Jenna Guye confirmed that discussions were taking place with the child's family.
“We are still talking with the family on how we can resolve this issue,” Guye told Highveld Chronicle.
