Some of the volunteers who helped to rescue trapped illegal miners in Stilfontein, North West. Photo by Morapedi Mashashe
MORE than 27 teenage zama zamas are being sent back to their home in Mozambique after being rescued from illegal mining in Stilfontein, North West.
On Tuesday, 17 December, social workers managing the case prepared to repatriate the teens to the Lebombo border with a police escort.
This follows securing permission from the court to release them from their place of safety, allowing them to repatriate and hand them over to their Mozambican counterparts, who will reunite the teens with their parents.
These teenage boys from Mozambique are returning home after emerging from Stilfontein’s unused mines more than a month ago.
According to Department of Social Development spokesman Petrus Siko, the repatriation was made possible after the Mozambican Consulate issued temporary travel documents and allowed a care-to-care process between the Social Development Departments of both countries.
ALSO READ:EFF’s Ndlozi breaks his silence!
“This was facilitated by the Department of Social Development and International Social Workers Services. The children will be handed over to social workers at the Lebombo border on Tuesday, 17 December 2024,” Siko said.
He said that among the 27 undocumented children, 15 were located by police in Matlosana, and 12 others emerged from abandoned mines, being placed in temporary safe care in the capital, Mahikeng, for two weeks.
“The minors were involved in illegal mining activities at Stilfontein in the Matlosana Local Municipality. Their placement in temporary safe care by the department is in line with the provisions of the Children Act, which mandates social workers or police officials to remove any child in danger and place them in temporary safe care,” he said.
Social Development MEC Basetsana Susana Dantjie thanked the departmental team led by actinghHead of department, Dr Fezile Ngqobe for arranging temporary safe care for the teens and working tirelessly to repatriate them to their homeland.
“We thank all stakeholders who came forward and played a critical role in ensuring these children receive the necessary care and protection. We also thank the Mozambican Consulate for expediting the repatriation process,” Dantjie said.
She added that along with her department, they’re prepared to provide similar services to other kids who may surface from the old gold mines in Stilfontein.
For more news and entertainment in the palm of your hand, follow our WhatsApp Channel via this link
0 Comments