Child abuse is a serious matter and it’s awful incidents like the following that highlight just how imperative it is to be aware of the long- and short-term affects, whether mental or physical.

While holidaying on the exotic isle of Mauritius, Mundolene Vosloo from Springs, Gauteng (pictured above) was another victim of abuse, but the effects were immediately tragic.

According to police, the 17-year-old fell to the ground after being struck in the face by her step-mother, Maria Vosloo [Marietjie]‚ 34, and died 30 minutes later. More from Times Live:

The Mauritian reported on Thursday that witnesses interviewed by the police said that Marietjie and Mundolene had an argument in the afternoon at the resort swimming pool over towels.

Marietjie‚ 34‚ appeared in the Bambous District Court on Thursday facing a provisional murder charge.

Mundolene and her father on the plane to Mauritius, below:

The family, including two of Mundolene’s two younger brothers and her father Mike, had been staying at the Riu Hotel in Le Morn, arriving at the resort on Tuesday.

Mike posted a message on Facebook, providing some details of how Mundolene allegedly died. According to IOL, translated from Afrikaans:

Mike wrote that his wife Marietjie had been “moaning” at Mundolene since they arrived at the 4-star hotel on Tuesday. “I told Mundolene to be quiet and to not talk back. I was trying to prevent a fight.”

“She did as I said and avoided conflict. My two sons and I told Marietjie countless times to leave Mundolene alone.

“Then they argued at the swimming pool and Marietjie threw a glass at Mundolene in front of other guests.”

“Marietjie then went to the room, while Mundolene and my son, Miguele, stayed behind. Later Marietjie shouted at our son, Marnuwico, and told him he couldn’t swim any more and to go to the room with her.” Mike then went to their room a few minutes later and urged his wife to stop causing a scene.

“I told her if she didn’t stop I was going to put a stop to the holiday and we were going to go home. She was so angry and stormed out of the room.”

A few minutes later Miguele, came rushing to the room for help.

“I was told that Marietjie had hit Mundolene in the face and she had collapsed on the floor.

“When I arrived, the resort doctor was already busy with Mundolene. They took her to a medical centre, where they worked on her for 30 minutes but she died.”

According to police reports, Marietjie alleged that Mundolene was a “bad tempered” teen.

[source:timeslive&timeslive&iol]

[imagesource:lemauricien]