Online Reporter
Thupeyo Muleya
Beitbridge Bureau
THE Zimbabwe Consulate in South Africa has facilitated the repatriation to Zimbabwe of 33 children who were recently intercepted at Beitbridge Border Post while being smuggled from the neighbouring country.
The children, aged between three years and 16 years, were being transported by two men in a Toyota Quantum on January 13 when they were intercepted by Border Management Authority (BMA) officials.
The two men who were smuggling them have since been charged with violating immigration laws in South Africa.
In a statement on Thursday, the Zimbabwe Consulate in Johannesburg said the children had been handed over to the social development department at Beitbridge for reunification with their parents and guardians.
“The Zimbabwe Consulate in Johannesburg wishes to inform the public that in collaboration with the Department of Social Development of South Africa and relevant stakeholders, it has successfully profiled and facilitated the repatriation of thirty-three children who were intercepted on 13 January while travelling from various part of South Africa to Zimbabwe,” said the consulate.
“The children whose ages range from three years to 16 years were travelling without proper travelling documents.
Upon arrival in Zimbabwe on January 23, they were handed over to the department of Social Welfare for further assessment, protection and safe reunification with their families in line with the national child protection frameworks”.
The consulate said the Government places the highest priority on the safety, dignity and well-being of children and strongly urged parents and guardians and transporters against the practice of moving children without valid travel documents.
It said illegal and irregular migration exposes children to serious risks, including trafficking, abuse, neglect, detention and loss of identity.
The consulate said to ensure people have access to travel documents, the Government had rolled out the e-passport services to the consulate in Johannesburg to promote safe migration and ensure that people are documented.
“The Zimbabwe Consulate in Johannesburg urges all Zimbabwean nationals to plan travel responsibly, ensure children are fully documented, and adhere to all immigration and child protection laws. Collective vigilance and compliance are critical to protecting our children and upholding their fundamental rights,” said the consulate.
