Pretoria – After a tearful and emotional year of searching and never giving up hope, a Mpumalanga granny has been reunited with her abducted 14 and 20-year-old grandchildren at OR Tambo International Airport.
Thanks to the intervention of the Department of Social Development’s International Social Services and Interpol, for the first time in months, the grandmother had a peaceful night after being reunited with her grandchildren, who were returned to South Africa on Thursday afternoon.
The children from Mpumalanga were removed from the care of their grandmother and taken to Malawi under false pretences by a woman who posed as a former teacher, in July 2014.
The woman had promised to send them to the United Kingdom (UK) to further their education.
According to the grandmother, the 14-year-old had learning difficulties and the alleged abductor had offered to take the child to the UK for specialist care that the granny could not afford.
The matter was referred to the department’s International Social Services Unit in May this year by the Mpumalanga Provincial Department. Following an investigation, the children, who were contacted telephonically said the woman was abusing them physically by forcing them to perform heavy household chores.
On 22 June 2015, a specialist team comprised of the department’s International Social Services and Interpol travelled to Malawi to return the children safely back home.
They returned to the country on Thursday, where they were received by Social Development Minister Bathabile Dlamini.
While waiting at the airport, the grandmother could be seen closing her eyes as if she was praying and when informed that the flight carrying her grandchildren had landed, one could see the relief in her eyes.
As the 20-year-old came out of the corridor, both shared tears of joy as they hugged each other.
“I couldn’t sleep. I was crying day and night since the day I became aware that they were abducted as I was left alone with no one. I’m short of words to thank the South African Government and everyone who ensured the safety of my grandchildren. My heart is now at peace,” said an emotional grandmother, who wished to remain anonymous.
Minister Dlamini said this case highlights the need for society as a whole to be vigilant about the trafficking of children, especially those communities situated in regions, where South Africa shares borders with other countries.
“Since being handed over to the South African Government, they have been kept at a transit home for children in Lilongwe. The boy is reported to be very withdrawn and prefers to keep to himself,” the Minister said at a media briefing.
The children will now be further assessed by social workers and health professionals to ascertain their holistic well-being with the view to providing the necessary care and support as well as a smooth reintegration in the country.
The Minister also emphasised that the national efforts to prevent and combat the trafficking of human beings, especially children, have never been more urgent.
She said government recognises that this is a complex challenge requiring decisive and collective national action.
In order to assist communities working to create a conducive environment for children and families, government has developed Guidelines for prevention of and Response to Child Exploitation.
The department has also proposed amendments to the Children’s Act (Act 38 of 2005) to allow social workers employed by the department to process child adoption applications as opposed to the being done only by adoption agencies.
Speaking to SAnews, Head of SAPS communications, Lieutenant General Solomon Makgale, said during the period between 2012 and 2014, they’ve seen an increase in cases of kidnapping of around 59%, which translates into just over 2000 cases.
“This is a huge concern for us because we are seeing a number of people that are being trafficked inside the country. We also see people being taken out of the country, where they are being used to traffic drugs and used as sex slaves.”
The abductor has been arrested and police are investigating the case. – SAnews.gov.za
