Ground Up
The North West Department of Social Development is repatriating 27 teenage boys from Mozambique on Tuesday who were involved in illegal mining activities in Stilfontein, Matlosana.
Fifteen of the boys were found by police in Matlosana, while 12 others resurfaced from abandoned mines and were placed in temporary safe care in Mahikeng for two weeks.
Department spokesperson, Petrus Siko, says social workers and police are escorting the youth to the Lebombo border, where they will be handed over to authorities in Mozambique for reunification with their families.
The minors, aged between 13 and 17, had resurfaced from the abandoned mines over a month ago and were placed in temporary safe care in Mahikeng per the provisions of the Children’s Act, which mandates the protection of children in dangerous situations.
The move to repatriate comes after a court order granting permission for their release from care. It was facilitated through a collaborative effort between the Departments of Social Development in South Africa and Mozambique, with the Mozambican Consulate issuing temporary travel documents for the minors.
Siko says a care-to-care process will ensure the children are safely transferred and reunited with their parents.
MEC for Social Development, Basetsana Sussana Dantjie, praised her department’s efforts and the stakeholders involved in the repatriation. She expressed gratitude to the Mozambican Consulate for expediting the process and ensuring the children’s safe return home.
"We thank all the stakeholders who played a crucial role in ensuring these children received the necessary care and protection. We are also prepared to provide similar assistance to other children who may surface from the old gold mines in Stilfontein," said Dantjie.
