Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga has expressed deep concern over reports of school children involved in illegal mining activities in the Barberton area of Mpumalanga.
Minister Motshekga was responding to a report published today in The Times newspaper, that school children in Mpumalanga, mainly boys as young as 13 are recruited, with promises of earning as much as R2 000 a week.
"These children are enticed by organised adult gangs, who promise them huge amounts of money.
"We are aware that these gangs recruit mostly poor and vulnerable school children, especially during school holidays."
"We are therefore sending a stern warning to these criminals, that practices of illegal mining and child labour are against the law. We will be working with law enforcement agencies to clamp down on these criminals, to ensure the protection the children's right to attend school," Minister Motshekga said.
Enquiries:
Hope Mokgatlhe
Spokesperson: Minister of Basic Education
Cell: 071 680 6849
Source: Department of Basic Education
28 September 2009
Source: Department of Basic Education (http://www.education.gov.za)
