Drug abuse among children is a rising epidemic in Cape Flats, South Africa. An eightyearold boy was found to have ingested a lethal mix of hard drugs, highlighting the urgent need for immediate intervention. The drug problem has pervaded the community, with children able to buy cocaine for as low as 20 Rands, causing growing concern among community members. Community leaders are confronting this issue and hoping for swift action from authorities. The shocking story of the boy is a chilling reminder of the escalating drug abuse among children in Cape Flats.
According to the National Institute for Communicable Disease (NICD), South Africa is currently experiencing a mumps outbreak which has raised concerns. The infection is caused by the rubavirus and is most commonly found in children between the ages of 5 and 9; however, it can infect individuals of all ages. The symptoms of mumps include painful swelling of the salivary glands, which can occur on one or both sides of the face.