BIANCA COOKSON: "Children should not be involved in grown-up problems. Adults should make means to survive and using a child as 'blackmail' when begging should be illegal."
The CHRONICLE took to the streets to ask residents what they think of female beggars with children at traffic lights? Here is what the people had to say.
PETER MOKOENA: “It does not sit well with me because of the baby’s health and safety in general. Nowadays we see a lot of abductions, so the children’s lives are in danger.”NEO MOLOI: “Government should support them with grants and the children should be provided with special care so they can have normal lives and a future like everyone else.”BLAIZE VAN DER MERWE: “I feel sympathy when a see a beggar, especially when it is hot and the child is exposed to extreme heat. The government should create jobs for the disadvantaged.”VELI BULUNGA: “It is not safe because a child can get kidnapped and the government or social workers must intervene. Those children should be in school instead of being used as a trophy for beggars.”SIBONAKALISO MATHENJWA: “It pains me to see people still begging at traffic lights with children after 24 years of democracy. I believe the people with power can change the situation.”
