This was confirmed by Commissioner, Dr Michael Masiapato on Wednesday, June 3.

Of the 933 individuals processed, 349 originated from the Lindela Holding Facility and were transported by the Department of Home Affairs through its deportation programme. The remaining 584 individuals travelled from Mossel Bay through arrangements facilitated by the Mozambican High Commission.

The BMA says travellers underwent the required immigration processing, including identity verification, biometric checks and immigration status assessments, in accordance with South African immigration legislation and border management procedures.

Among those processed were individuals who did not possess valid travel documentation and others whose immigration status required further verification. In addition, 17 individuals who had previously entered South Africa legally were found to have overstayed their authorised period of stay. These cases were processed in accordance with the Immigration Act and applicable regulations.

About 38 minors formed part of the group and were processed with the assistance of the Department of Social Development to ensure compliance with all applicable child protection and cross-border movement requirements.

As part of the BMA’s mandate, all persons were screened and processed in accordance with health, security and immigration protocols before being permitted to proceed through the Port of Entry.At the conclusion of the operation, 926 individuals successfully departed South Africa for Mozambique.

Seven individuals were not permitted to depart following immigration processing and verification. These cases included individuals who did not meet the prescribed requirements for cross-border movement. Appropriate arrangements were made for all affected individuals in accordance with legal and administrative requirements.

READ | Immigration officials arrested at Lebombo Port of Entry

Commissioner Masiapato stated that the management of cross-border movement must be conducted in a manner that is lawful, orderly and consistent with South Africa’s immigration framework.

The BMA remains committed to facilitating legitimate travel while ensuring compliance with immigration legislation and safeguarding the integrity of our ports of entry. We will continue to work closely with our regional counterparts to promote safe, orderly and regular migration, while protecting the security interests of South Africa and the region,” he said.

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The operation, which included random searches, was a collaborative effort between various stakeholders, including the SAPS, Department of Safety, Security and Liaison, Law Enforcement, Correctional Services, Department of Social Development, Department of Education, and the Community Police Forum (CPF).

The searches led to the discovery of dagga on learners, who subsequently revealed the locations of their suppliers. The team raided four houses and a spaza shop, confiscating bags of dagga and arresting the suspects.

READ | Duo bust with dagga worth R1 million

According to Mpumalanga to Lieutenant Colonel Jabu Ndubane, two females, aged 43 and 31, were arrested for dealing with dagga.

“During the searches, learners were found in possession of dagga and popcorn’s lace made with dagga. The team followed up on the information received, which led to the arrest of the two suspects,” she explained.

Colonel Ndubane further stated that two cases of dealing with dagga were opened, noting that the two suspects were expected to appear at the Kabokweni Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday, February 26.

The schools safety operation is part of a broader effort to address substance abuse and other safety concerns in schools.

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The Department of Social Development gazetted the proclamation of the Social Assistance Amendment Act, effectively improving the social assistance programme to benefit orphans and vulnerable children.

This comes as the country commemorates Child Protection week, which was launched in Lusikisiki, Eastern Cape, on May 29.

Social assistance is one of the country’s biggest child protection programmes currently reaching just over 13 million children.

READ |

The Social Assistance Amendment Act specifically seeks, amongst others, to make provision for additional payments linked to social grants, which includes implementing the extended Child Support Grant (CSG) policy for orphans in the care of relatives (CSG Top-Up).

This policy intervention empowers the Minister of Social Development, in concurrence with the Minister of Finance, to make provision for a top up of 50% more on the child support grant for orphans in the care of relatives who are eligible for the CSG. These children will receive their basic CSG, which is currently R480, plus an additional amount of R240 (50% of the basic CSG), bringing the total amount to R720.

This provision is an important part of the comprehensive legal solution to the foster care challenge, as it will enable relatives caring for orphans to get a social grant quickly by going directly to SASSA without first needing a social worker’s investigation, report and a court order.

It will enable relatives caring for orphans to provide for their basic needs and support that are required within their extended family environment without removing them from the households they are familiar with.

READ MORE | Caregivers on the verge of losing shelter

In order to receive this benefit, applicants will be required to prove that a child is an orphan by providing:

1. Certified copies of the death certificates of the child’s parent/s

2. Where the death certificate of one parent of the child cannot be obtained by the applicant, a certified copy of the death certificate of one parent and an affidavit by the applicant attesting to the unknown status of the child’s other parent.

Caregivers who are eligible can now apply for the CSG Top Up at any of SASSA local offices and online as of today, June 1, 2022, which is also international children’s day.

Applicants will also be able to track the status of their applications using the online portal. SMS will send notifications of the outcome of their online application or email.

The post #NationalChildProtectionWeek | Social grants programme to benefit orphaned children appeared first on MP Mirror Online.

Government has noted with concern various incidents of child abuse, which have been reported in the media.

These include kidnapping, bullying of children at schools and on the internet, as well as food poisoning of children, amongst others.

These acts against children are unacceptable. The government calls on all South Africans to commemorate the National Child Protection Week. 29 May–5 June 2022 is meant to raise awareness about the rights of children as articulated in the Republic’s Constitution of South Africa and in the Children’s Act.

READ | #FreedomDay2022: Five movies to keep you entertained this Freedom Day

Minister in the Presidency, Mondli Gungubele said they appreciate the media for their role in raising awareness of criminal acts committed against children.

“We are confident that law enforcement agencies will deal swiftly with cases involving children. It is important that as a country we rally behind the Department of Social Development. Commemorating Child Protection Week under the theme, Let us Protect Children during COVID-19 and beyond.”

This year’s National Child Protection Week comes amid reports that the number of children born to teenage mothers increased to 60%. This was during the National State of Disaster under the COVID-19 lockdown period.

READ MORE | Minister introduces Labour Migration Policy for public comment

The government has put in place various early intervention programmes that focus on sexual health and rights. This is an Integrated Programme of Action that responds to teenage pregnancy by coordinating the work of all stakeholders. It ensures that resources are directed to the hardest hit areas with a focus on prevention and early intervention.

VIDEO:

Listen to Abenathi Magangana

Teenage pregnancy is a multifaceted problem that requires comprehensive interventions from all sectors of society. #ChildProtectionWeek2022 #childprotection365 #Beyondteenpregnancy #ShareYourStory #ReportChildAbuse #GBVCC pic.twitter.com/vvMI7v0vM1

— Social Development (@The_DSD) May 31, 2022

The Department of Social Development has a 24-hour call centre dedicated to provide support and counselling to victims of gender-based violence. You can also call the toll-free number on 0800 428 428 (0800 GBV GBV) to speak to a social worker. Callers can also request a social worker from the Command Centre to contact them by dialling *120*7867# (free) from any cell phone or Childline South Africa: 0800 055 555.

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This is according to the committee chairperson of the orphanage, Andrew Mthethwa. He said their landlord has given them a 3-month lifeline to source funds to pay the monthly rent of R8500 for an accommodation that houses 19 children. 

He said the reason for their situation is Covid-19 which negatively impacted their donors who committed to aiding the orphanage could no longer fulfill commitment due to the pandemic. 

“We are hoping that between now and October something will come up. We found this house in 2019 although we signed a lease agreement the previous year. Since then we’ve been involved department of Social Development for a short period. We received donations from time to time. As the chairperson, I also tried to assist where I can. However, expenses are beyond me and we need the help. In 2020, some potential donors came to visit the orphanage and pledge to support. But some of them have lost their jobs due to Covid and we became even more stranded. As a result, they could no longer help. The rent in a way became my responsibility and I could not afford it,” said Mthethwa. 

He pointed out that the owner of the orphanage is willing to sell the property to them. All they need is to raise funds so that the property can be bought be transferred to them. 

“We spoke with the owner and fortunately she understood the situation. Hence she has given us three months to source out funds so that the children have a roof over their heads. We’re appealing to the community and business people to give a helping hand. We can’t afford to lose this place because there’s still room for development that we can create to make a suitable environment for children.”

The Department of Social Development did not respond as yet to a media enquiry.

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