13 April 2014
[Not for sensitive viewers]
It’s meant to be a safe home for abused and neglected children. Instead, there’s verbal and physical abuse, underage sex and teen pregnancy. Carte Blanche investigates a ‘safe haven’ that seems anything but.
PART ONE
PART TWO
Producers: Sasha Schwendenwein & Susan Comrie
Presenter: Derek Watts
SAFE HAVEN UPDATE
After the explosive exposé, there was a massive public outcry with several viewers offering to assist the children. The 12-year-old boy "Michael" we featured in the story had fallen three years behind in his schoolwork at the time. Through his own perseverance, school counselling, and help from community volunteers, he is now achieving academically in high school.
According to the Department of Social Development at the time, all of the children were removed – some were relocated to places of safety in the area, while others were placed with relatives. The South African Police in Hartbeespoort said they were investigating the cases relating to Stephanie Bentley, and her daughter but they were never arrested as the Director of Public Prosecutions decided not to prosecute. The cases are now considered closed.
Stephanie Bentley has since moved away from Hartbeespoort, and the rest of the family have vacated the premises.