Western Cape Department of Social Development (DSD) moves children from unregistered facility
The Western Cape Department of Social Development (DSD) welcomes the arrest by the South African Police Services (SAPS) of a suspected drug peddler operating from an unregistered Early Childhood Development (ECD) centre in Seawinds.
This comes after community members tipped-off the SAPS about the alleged illegal activity of the building-owner at which an unregistered ECD had rented space.
The department sent out a team of social workers to the facility to investigate, and the children found at the unregistered ECD were immediately moved-out of the facility, and placed in neighbouring facilities. As per the Children’s Act of 2005, the department will act on the unregistered ECD owner after the facts have been established and the SAPS investigation is concluded.
The department has a zero-tolerance approach to any alleged abuse of children. That the drugs were allegedly found in an unregistered ECD centre, further highlights the importance of the public reporting suspected unregistered facilities to DSD. The public play a critical role in enabling the department to intervene in the interests and safety of children, as mandated by the Children’s Act.
When reported, DSD can then work with these facilities to bring them into compliance with the Act, or use the law to shut the non-compliant facilities down.
The public can report any incidents of child neglect or abuse at any DSD local office or via the DSD hotline 0800 220 250.
Enquiries:
MEC Albert Fritz
Cell: 083 307 0192
Sihle Ngobese
Spokesperson for Albert Fritz, MEC of Social Development
Cell: 076 083 6543
Tel: 021 483 9217
Email: Sihle.Ngobese@westerncape.gov.za
