96 undocumented children among arrested Stilfontein miners
The North West Department of Social Development has confirmed that 96 undocumented children were among those arrested for illegal mining at the disused gold mine in Stilfontein since August.
More than 1,200 suspected illegal miners have resurfaced from the abandoned mine after police limited access to food and water as part of Operation Vala Umgodi.
A 14-year-old boy from Mozambique was among the latest group of 14 suspected illegal miners to emerge from the abandoned shaft.
Most of the illicit miners, including undocumented children, are suspected to be citizens of neighbouring South African Development Community countries such as Mozambique, Namibia, Zimbabwe, and Lesotho.
The detained children face charges in line with Child Justice Act.
“Based on the outcomes of the court proceedings, the department is mandated to protect the rights of children and seek to place all identified and legally declared undocumented children in accommodation, and provide for the basic needs, while they are still awaiting to be processed in terms of Child Justice Act,” explained national spokesperson Bathembu Futshane.
Interpreters have been brought to assist with the language barrier between officials and the vulnerable minors.
“During this period of processing the department will, as part of its child protection services, conduct a comprehensive assessment to ascertain if they need care and protection. The department will continue to provide the necessary support until the repatriation process is concluded,” Futshane added.
Futshane said the department has engaged the embassies of the associated countries over the repatriation process.
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