By Johnathan Paoli
The North West Social Development Department is ensuring that 96 undocumented children who are among illicit miners detained in Khuma, Stilfontein, are being looked after.
Spokesperson Bathembu Futshane said the children, primarily from Southern African Development Community countries, are currently receiving medical care, legal support and secure accommodation as they await legal proceedings under the Child Justice Act.
“We are committed to ensuring that their rights are protected and that they are given proper care while awaiting court proceedings. The department will also assess if they are in need of additional protection,” Futshane said.
He said the illegal mining operation, which targeted illegal miners, has drawn attention to the significant presence of minors among the workforce, and that most of the arrested individuals, including the children, were believed to be from Mozambique, Namibia, Zimbabwe and Lesotho.
He said the department’s swift intervention underscored its commitment to ensuring the rights and protection of these vulnerable children, in line with South African laws and international conventions.
The 96 undocumented children arrested alongside the illicit miners were found working in hazardous conditions in disused mine shafts, with many of them being victims of exploitation and trafficking.
Futshane said his department has emphasised its responsibility to uphold the Constitution of South Africa, the Children’s Act, the Child Justice Actand the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, all of which mandate the protection of children.
He assured the public that all detained children would be placed in suitable accommodation where their basic needs, including food, shelter and health services, would be met.
The department has coordinated with cultural mediators to address language barriers, ensuring effective communication with the children, many of whom may not speak the local languages.
Additionally, efforts have been made to engage the embassies of Zimbabwe and Mozambique to facilitate the issuance of repatriation certificates or travel documents, which will assist in the eventual return of the children to their home countries or their placement in protective care if necessary.
Futshane said health services have been provided to ensure the children’s well-being, as many were found in poor physical conditions after working in the dangerous and unhealthy environment of the illegal mines.
He said the department was taking all necessary steps to ensure the children’s rights were not violated and that they were treated with dignity and respect during this process.
The spokesperson said the department would continue to monitor the children’s cases, conducting thorough assessments to determine whether they required further care and protection.
He said this was in line with the ongoing efforts to combat human trafficking and exploitation in the region, where traffickers often coerced children into dangerous and illegal work in sectors such as mining.
A total of 57 illegal miners have resurfaced at various shafts in the area so far this week, with three people emerging on Thursday morning.
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