By: Power 98.7

Departmental spokesperson Petrus Siko explained the intervention: “The minors were involved in illegal mining activities at Stilfontein in Matlosana local municipality. Their placement in temporary safe care by the department is in line with the provisions of the Children Act, which mandate social workers or police officials to remove a child who is in danger and place them in temporary safe care.”

On Tuesday, social workers, accompanied by a police escort, will take the children to the Lebombo border following the court’s approval.

There, they will be handed over to Mozambican authorities, who will oversee their reunification with their families.

According to Siko, the process was made possible through temporary travel documents and a coordinated care-to-care approach between the two nations.

North West MEC for Social Development, Basetsana Susanna Dantjie, praised the swift efforts of her department, led by acting Head of Department doctor, Fezile Ngqobe, in ensuring the children were cared for and prepared for repatriation.

North West MEC for Social Development, Basetsana Susanna Dantjie, praised the swift efforts of her department, led by acting Head of Department doctor, Fezile Ngqobe, in ensuring the children were cared for and prepared for repatriation.

“We thank all the stakeholders who came forward and played a critical role in ensuring that these children receive the necessary care and protection. We also thank the Mozambican Consulate for speeding up the process of repatriation,” Dantjie said as the group prepared for their journey to the border.

Dantjie added that the department remains ready to respond to similar situations in the future: “We are prepared to provide similar services to other children who may resurface from the old gold mines in Stilfontein.”