South Africa concludes Child Protection Week

Shabangu said officials should use the laws of the country designed to protect children efficiently.

South Africa has reiterated its commitment to care not only for the children of its citizens but also children from neighbouring countries, who are unaccompanied and without documentation.

“We cannot afford to turn a blind eye to the fact that some of the children in our country are unaccompanied and undocumented,” said Social Development Minister Susan Shabangu on Sunday.

The Minister was addressing the closing ceremony of Child Protection Week in Ladybrand in the Free State. Local communities, including learners, came in their numbers to be part of the bigger movement aimed at building a better life for children. 

Shabangu said officials should use the laws of the country designed to protect children efficiently, especially in cases involving unaccompanied and undocumented children of foreign nationality.

“It should be kept in mind that once children cross the borders of a country they were born in without proper documentation, they become vulnerable.

“Such children may be exposed to various forms of exploitation, including physical and sexual abuse, kidnapping, child trafficking and child labour.

“Undocumented children often make it difficult for government to provide them with comprehensive social services including basic education, food, clothing, Child Support Grant and Social Relief of Distress,” the Minister.

Shabangu launched the Child Protection Week campaign last week in Pretoria to highlight to communities the value their children.

On Sunday, Shabangu appealed to delegates from the government of Lesotho, which is landlocked in South Africa, to work hand in hand with the South African government to protect children.

Major General TN Mathonsi of the South African Police Service reaffirmed their commitment to protect children. “It is our duty to protect our children. People should demand answers if they are not getting help from the police.”

Strategic efforts to protect children and women 

In 2010, Cabinet established an Inter-Ministerial Committee (IMC) on Violence against Women and Children (VAWC).

The IMC is a multi-sectoral approach to the fight against the abuse of women and children and it is led by the Department of Social Development. Its aim is to help reduce incidents of VAWC through workable and sustainable solutions.

Social Development set up the Gender-Based Violence Command Centre, a 24-hour call centre dedicated to providing support and counselling to people affected by gender-based violence and abuse. The toll-free call centre can be found on 0800 428 428 (0800 GBV GBV).

World Vision representative Ernest Fraser called on communities to work with government to protect children.

“It’s upon all of us to ensure that our children are protected. We request communities to be vigilant at all the times,” he said.