Children forced to work as maids

The abuse and slavery of children is rife within the townships of KwaDukuza.

This is often related to the abuse of the child grant, and as most orphans have no one to protect them they are easy pickings. These children are taken in with the appearance of helping them, but instead are used as servants or for criminal activities and some are denied their right to go to school.

Etete community policing forum chairperson Bongumusa Mkhize, said that even some of the children who receive the foster care grant are not being well taken care of.

“It is a heart breaking issue, because there are people who will take the grant and use it for their personal needs and forget the needs of the child. Where I stay, I have seen many children being abused sexually, physically and emotionally,” said Mkhize.

Shaka’s Head CPF chairperson Hloniphani Mtshali said this was a serious problem.

“We are currently investigating the case of a 12-year-old girl, who was taken from a rural area and brought to Shaka’s Head. She is not attending school and works as a maid in the house.”

KwaDukuza Child Welfare Manager Penny Dhaver and Tongaat Child Welfare‘s Jo Moodley urged the community to come forward and report all cases of child abuse.

She said they had not received any reports of these kinds of cases for a long time.

“We keep a close eye on the children that we place in foster care. Social workers often visit the children and we work closely with schools to monitor the kids. Should we see any sign of discomfort, we take the child back,” said Dhaver.

Dhaver said a person who wants to use a child for his or her personal reasons, might choose to make a secret agreement with the family or relatives of the child.

“Since there are a large number of illiterate parents in the townships and rural areas, poor parents or relatives might not know that there are legal processes that need to be followed. Therefore, these law breakers would be seen as life savers. Yet they have their filthy reasons for their actions.”

She said people with a child related criminal record could not be foster parents, and although the family can decide for themselves who should take care of an orphaned child, it is strongly recommended that they seek help from the welfare or social welfare department.

“This will ensure that the child is placed with an appropriate foster parent approved by the court,” she said.

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