The ministry of women, children and persons with disabilities has revealed plans to profile child murderers.

The ministry of women, children and persons with disabilities has revealed plans to profile child murderers.

This was revealed by Minister Noluthando Mayende-Sibiya, pictured, yesterday at a meeting with children's rights organisations in Ekurhuleni.

"We have commissioned a study to look into the possible causes of child killings. This will involve interviews with and information about people who have been convicted of child murder.

"We hope this study can build a profile of a child murderer and provide information that could shape further interventions in dealing with the killing of our children," she said.

Mayende-Sibiya said she was concerned by the number of children, particularly in the Western Cape, who were killed by people close to them.

She said the abuse of alcohol and drugs contributed to the killing of children.

"It is apparent that the abuse of drugs and alcohol are the common factors among people who have been convicted of these crimes," said Mayende-Sibiya.