Four children, aged between 7 and 13, have been rescued from unsafe living conditions in Wembezi near Estcourt after their mother, originally from Mngwenya in Weenen, allegedly abandoned them.

The Northern Natal News reports that a 38-year-old woman has been arrested on charges of child neglect following a joint effort between the Department of Education, the Department of Social Development (DSD), and the SAPS.

According to SAPS spokesperson Warrant Officer Basheer Khan, the woman allegedly left her four children, aged 7, 9, 11, and 13, in a rented house in Wembezi before returning to her home in Weenen.

Left to fend for themselves, the eldest child was forced to care for the younger siblings, with only occasional oversight from a neighbour.

Khan explained that concerns were first raised when educators noticed a sharp decline in one of the children’s school performance. Following an investigation and collaboration with DSD, officials visited the home.

The children have since been removed from the unsafe environment and placed in a facility that provides care and support to victims of crime. The mother is expected to appear soon in the Estcourt Magistrate’s Court.