The North West provincial Department of Social Development received information that about 96 undocumented children had been arrested and detained as part of the illicit miners in Khuma Stilfontein. Most of the illicit miners, including, undocumented children are suspected to be originating from SADC countries, namely Mozambique, Namibia, Zimbabwe and Lesotho.
The Department of Social Development which in terms of the Constitution Of South Africa, the Children’s Act, Child Justice Act and the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) is mandated to protect the rights of children. Based on the outcomes of the court proceedings, seek to place all identified and legally declared undocumented children in accommodation, and provide for their basic needs, while they are still waiting to be processed in terms of the Child Justice Act.
The Court will, in terms of the provisions of the Child Justice Act formally charge the children whilst they are placed in the safety of the facilities of the department.
The department has identified cultural mediation to assist in translation as language was identified as a barrier. Furthermore, the department has engaged the Zimbabwean and Mozambique embassies for the issuance of repatriation certificate /traveling documents. Health services have been provided to the children to ensure that they are healthy and that their rights were not violated.
During this period of processing, the department will as part of its child protection services conduct a comprehensive assessment to ascertain if they are indeed children who are in need of care and protection. The department will continue to provide the necessary support until the repatriation process is concluded.
Media enquiries:
Mr. Bathembu Futshane
Cell: 0711621154
E-mail: bathembuf@dsd.gov.za
