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Thandeka Moyo-Ndlovu
Bulawayo Bureau
CHILDREN on the move are at a greater risk of coming into contact with drugs as they may be used as conduits to peddle drugs, an official has said.
In a statement, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare Mr Simon Masanga said unaccompanied children face potential harm and are highly susceptible.
“Parents and caregivers should ensure that children are in the company of a trusted adult whom the child is familiar with, and who will certainly get the child to their final destination. If the child is to cross the border, there is a need for the child and escort to have the requisite travel documents which include passports, original or certified copies of the child’s birth certificate and power of attorney by one parent (if the child will be travelling with one parent) or the child’s parents this may be in the form of a sworn in affidavit,” he said.
“Children on the move are at a greater risk of sexual abuse and being initiated into drug abuse at the hands of different people including traffickers, smugglers, and touts. They face the risk of sexual abuse and exploitation.”
Mr Masanga said children with disabilities are at a greater risk of any form of abuse.
He said children on the move are also at a higher risk of being exploited commercially in exchange for safety, food, shelter and other basics.
“Apart from the risks listed, transporters are not trained to care for and handle children as their main role is to transport people and goods from one point to the other. Children, especially toddlers require special care and attention constantly,” said Mr Masanga.
“They want to eat, play, have their diapers changed and sleep while transporters will be busy attending to their primary duty and this affects the child’s health, emotional and psychological well-being.”
The Ministry of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare is working with the police to find out the perpetrators of this heinous crime.
Mr Masanga said a preventative measure, the ministry is conducting awareness-raising programmes to sensitise citizens on responsible parenting and safe migration.
The South African Department of Social Development has a Memorandum of Understanding with the Ministry of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare on matters related to unaccompanied and undocumented minors. Most of the cases of children being smuggled to South Africa are recorded during school holidays.
Despite stiff fines imposed by the South African Home Affairs on omalayitsha caught smuggling undocumented travellers or those with expired passports or no valid visas, into that country, cases of smuggling of such persons continue to rise.
Those caught smuggling undocumented persons pay a fine of R15 000 per person.
Online Reporter