The Western Cape Department of Social Development (DSD) prioritizes the safety and well-being of children across the province, including abandoned children and abused children. We are guided by the Children’s Act no. 38 of 2005 in this regard.
The department is still dealing with the case of a 17 month-old boy that was abandoned in Steenberg. The child was left on the doorstep of a local resident who alerted the police, who in turn contacted the department.
A charge of child abandonment had been opened, and the baby boy remains in Temporary Safe Care. Our social workers are providing close care, and tending to the baby, especially as he has specialized medical care needs.
The department will continue assisting the police in attempting to track the child’s parents. We are appealing to anybody with information to contact the DSD Hotline on 0800 220 250 or approach the Metro South Regional Office.
The department has also dealt with the other case pertaining to the 3-year old toddler who was allegedly forced to smoke marijuana by her 19 year-old brother. The departments had approached the Wynberg Court under Section 151 of the Children’s Act to request the removal of the child into Temporary Safety Care, however the Judge ordered that the older brother and alleged perpetrator, move out of the house and have no unsupervised contact with his sibling. He has consequently been placed with his paternal relatives.
The 3-year old has been placed back into the care of her mother. We are pleased at the improved progress the family has made, and our NGO partner is monitoring the family including adherence to the court conditions.
The department will continue to play its part in protecting children in the province; however our efforts can be more effective if we continue to work in a whole-of-society manner. We can create a safe and enabling environment for all children if we work ‘Better Together’.
Media enquiries:
Minister Albert Fritz
Cell: 083 307 0192
Sihle Ngobese
Spokesperson for Albert Fritz, Minister of Social Development
Tel: 021 483 9217
Cell: 083 280 9199
E-mail: Sihle.Ngobese@westerncape.gov.za
