The Western Cape government has vowed to intensify its crackdown on parents whose children go missing as a result of their negligence.

The Western Cape government has vowed to intensify its crackdown on parents whose children go missing as a result of their negligence.

Speaking during the provincial government's post-cabinet meeting briefing yesterday, Western Cape Premier Ebrahim Rasool (pictured) said irresponsible parents could find themselves in the dock.

"There is a need to have a crackdown on parents who allow their kids to be brutalised. We need to make every Western Cape parent fear to neglect their children," he said.

Last week police arrested the mother of an eight-year-old girl who was found smelling of liquor after having been reported missing.

Many more such parents could find themselves charged for negligence if their children go missing, said Rasool.

In the past year about 105 children were murdered in the province.

"It is difficult week after week to express condolences to families whose kids have been brutalised," Rasool said. - Sapa