Children's Act, 2005 (Act No. 38 of 2005)Chapter 11 : Alternative Care178. Serious injury, abuse or death of child in alternative care |
| (1) | If a child in alternative care is seriously injured or abused, the management of the child and youth care centre, person or organisation in whose care or temporary safe care the child has been placed must immediately report the matter to the provincial head of social development, who must cause an investigation to be conducted into the circumstances of the serious injury or abuse. |
| (2) | If a child in alternative care dies, the management of the child and youth care centre or person in whose care or temporary safe care the child has been placed must immediately after the child's death report such death to— |
| (a) | the parent or guardian of the child, if he or she can be traced; |
| (b) | a police official; |
| (c) | the provincial head of social development; and |
| (d) | the social worker dealing with the matter. |
| (3) | The police official must cause an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the death of the child to be conducted by the South African Police Service, unless the police official is satisfied that the child died of natural causes. |