Inspectorate finds severe abuse at Bersama family home in Niekerk

An inspection report by the Health and Youth Care Inspectorate has revealed severe safety and quality failures at the Bersama family home in Niekerk. Two children, aged nine and ten, were placed in the home in November 2022 and suffered years of abuse, including being beaten, forced to perform heavy labor on the farm, being bitten by a dog, and having food withheld.

Despite signals of instability and unprofessional conduct appearing as early as January 2023, the abuse continued until November 2025, when one child disclosed the situation at school. The Inspectorate noted that three separate organizations—the William Schrikker Foundation, Cornerstones Jeugdzorg, and Stichting Elker—failed to intervene effectively due to a lack of cooperation, despite having knowledge of the unsafe environment.