DURBAN - The Department of Social Development has stepped in and saved two children in the Maqeleni area in Edendale, Pietermaritzburg, that were being neglected and starved.
The department was alerted to the children’s suffering after a video was posted online.
The department said social workers had to attend to the children, who were allegedly neglected by their biological mother.
“These children were often left without food for the whole day and neighbours provided for them,” it said.
“One community member, shocked by the terrible condition these children were exposed to, opted to record a video and post it on Facebook to draw (our) attention,“ the department said in a statement.
A team led by Umgungundlovu Cluster acting chief director Pastor Thabo Mphuthi traced the children’s whereabouts. With the help of SAPS members from Plessislaer, the children were removed to a place of safety.
Social Development MEC Nonhlanhla Khoza commended the whistle-blowers.
“We need more active community members to work with the government to ensure that our social workers are informed of the challenges encountered by vulnerable groups. Such cases should also be reported to our offices, and avoid relying on social media as it could have a negative impact on children's future,” said Khoza.
She said the children’s parent’s would face the law. “The law must set an example with such parents, who believe that they have a right to abuse children.”
Khoza said the children were currently in a place of safety. “They will be given debriefing and counselling following their ordeal. The department will also be introducing the children to the Early Child Development Centre to ensure that we stimulate their brains because it appears that they were also denied such rights," she said.
Khoza added that the department would investigate what led the mother to neglect her children as community members had indicated that the children were left alone in the house.
THE MERCURY