The North West Department of Social Development in South Africa plans to send 27 undocumented Mozambican teenagers back to their home country today, after they were found in abandoned mines in Stilfontein more than a month ago.
The teenagers had been involved in illegal mining in Stilfontein and Matlosana, Klerksdorp, and are believed to have been trafficked into South Africa.
According to the department’s spokesperson, Petrus Siko, the group was discovered in two separate incidents. Police first found 15 teenagers in Matlosana, while the other 12 were found in the mines.
After being discovered, they were placed in temporary safe care in Mahikeng for two weeks, in line with the Children’s Act. This law allows children in danger to be removed and placed in a secure environment by police or social workers.
The teenagers will be returned to Mozambique today, escorted by police. A court order allowed social workers to release them at the Lebombo border.
Mozambican authorities will reunite the teenagers with their families once they arrive.
Temporary travel documents were issued by the Mozambican Consulate to help with the process, which was managed through cooperation between the social development departments in both countries.
“On Tuesday, the social workers managing the case set out to repatriate the children to Lebombo border with a police escort. This after they got permission from the court to release them from their place of safety and allow them to repatriate them and hand them over to their counterparts in Mozambique, who will then reunify the children with their parents,” Siko disclosed.
Petrus Siko noted that international social work services played a key role in ensuring the teenagers’ safe return. The repatriation involved both South African and Mozambican officials working together to ensure the children’s safety.
The MEC for Social Development, Sussana Dantjie, praised her department for quickly organising temporary care for the children and for working hard to arrange their repatriation. She thanked all those who helped care for the group, including the Mozambican Consulate, which fast-tracked the necessary paperwork.
“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 said
Dantjie also assured the public that her department is ready to assist other children who may be found in abandoned mines in Stilfontein. The situation highlights ongoing concerns about child trafficking and illegal mining, which put vulnerable young people at risk.
