adminassisting children who could be affected by the imminent deportations of illegal immigrants from South Africa.
A cross-border co-ordinating committee for children on the move was required.
This followed Pretoria’s announcement that it would start departing thousands of Zimbabwean illegal immigrants following the expiry of the July 31 deadline for them to regularise their stay.
Over 275 000 applications for Zimbabweans wishing to regularise their stay in South Africa have been processed.
South Africa’s Home Affairs Department officials communicated their intentions to their counterparts at Beitbridge Border Post on Thursday last week.
Speaking at the meeting, SA’s area manager for Save the Children, Richard Kgomotso Montsho, said they were looking at strengthening relations in terms of reducing cases of irregular migration among children.
He said they would find ways of re-uniting the children with their families and re-integrate them in the communities.
“South Africa plays host to many children from countries in Sadc and those from West Africa and as the affected countries we need to come up with contingent measures to co-ordinate the handling of children on the move,” said Mr Montsho.
Online Reporter