Unregistered children’s homes to be closed

Chronicle Reporter
THE Ministry of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare will close down all unregistered children’s homes and remove children from such institutions, a senior official said yesterday. In a statement, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Mr Ngoni Masoka, said Government had noted with concern the rampant mushrooming of unregistered centres hence the need for Government to intervene and help the children.

“The Ministry will not hesitate to remove children from all unregistered children’s homes and closing down all such institutions that are not accountable to the law, hence the danger to all children in their custody.

“Operating an unregistered children’s home is a criminal offense liable to prosecution according to the laws of Zimbabwe,” said Mr Masoka.

He urged churches, individuals and welfare organisations to desist from taking or placing a child in a children’s home (whether registered or not) as this is the sole mandate of a Probation Officer in the department of Social Services as placement has to be done procedurally according to the law.

“It is the duty of our department to facilitate the placement of children in Children Homes and we appeal to churches and civic society to consult before placing children in any of the homes whether registered or not.

“The public is notified that the mandate to register children’s homes rests solely and exclusively with the Ministry of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare through the department of social services,” he said.

Mr Masoka said all children’s homes should be registered with the Ministry of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare through the department of Social Services.

“Since only registered Children’s Homes can take in children in need of care, hence the members of the public are advised against donating to institutions that cannot provide a registration certificate signed by the Minister for Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare, “he said.

“Members of the public are requested to report to their nearest department of social services office or the police of any suspected operations of an unregistered children’s home in their neighborhood or any place suspected of accommodating many children whose activities might be suspicious.”