The North West Department of Social Development has commenced the urgent repatriation of 27 undocumented teenage boys from Mozambique who had been involved in illegal mining activities in the Stilfontein region of Matlosana.
The boys were discovered more than a month ago, with 15 found by police in the municipality and the remaining 12 surfacing from dangerous, abandoned mines. Following their recovery, the children were placed in temporary safe care in Mahikeng for two weeks while the department arranged for their safe return.
According to the guidelines of the Children Act, social workers and police officials are mandated to remove children from hazardous environments and provide them with safe care.
This principle steered the actions taken by the department when the boys were found and signalled the start of their repatriation journey.
On Tuesday, December 17, 2024, social workers, accompanied by a police escort, set out towards the Lebombo border to reunite the boys with their families. This monumental step was made possible after the department secured a court order allowing the children to leave their safe placement.
The Mozambican Consulate played a pivotal role by issuing temporary travel documents, facilitating a smooth 'care-to-care' process between the two nations' social development departments.
MEC for Social Development, Basetsana Sussana Dantjie, conveyed her heartfelt gratitude to her team, especially to acting Head of Department Dr Fezile Ngqobe, for their unwavering dedication in securing safe accommodation and orchestrating the repatriation process.
"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," she stated, as the boys prepared for their journey back home.
In light of recent events, including the South African Police Service’s (SAPS) estimates of 350 to 400 illegal miners still refusing to resurface from an abandoned mine shaft nearby, Dantjie affirmed her department's readiness to offer similar assistance to any children in need who may appear from the mines in the future.
Initially, local assessments suggested that up to 4,500 miners were underground, but Brigadier Athlenda Mathe later described these figures as "exaggerated," noting the ongoing efforts to gather accurate information on the situation.
As this repatriation unfolds, it serves as both a critical reminder of the dangers faced by youth in the illegal mining crisis and the collaborative efforts required to address the broader social challenges at play.
The Star