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Eastern Cape Department of Social Development MEC, Bukiwe Fanta, has condemned the abandoning of children in the Eastern Cape Province, instead of handing them over to social workers.
This followed after an infant was rescued by the congregation of the Methodist Church in Cala, found under building material on February 25, 2024.
It is alleged that the congregation was preparing for their morning service when they heard a child crying.
The baby, whose age is yet to be confirmed but believed to be a couple of days old, was found under corrugated iron sheets and rocks.
“The department has acted swiftly, and ensured assessment of the matter for appropriate intervention, and as such the child (upon discharge from hospital) was placed in a registered Child and Youth Care Centre.
This would be followed by a more sustainable alternative care option that will bring stability and permanency to the child through exploring family-based alternative care placement options, like foster care and adoption,” said Fanta.
She said that her department encourages communities to come forward, and approach social workers that are available across the eight districts, should they realise that they will not be able to take care of their children, and this includes unborn children.
Fanta added that the department, with its partners, will further strengthen awareness of prevention and early intervention programmes that promote the rights of the children.
“The department takes issues of care and protection of children seriously.
“The Eastern Cape Province has 27 registered and funded Non-Profit Organisations (NPO’s) for Child and Youth Care Centres that are all positioned to receive, admit, and care for children in need of care and protection, including abandoned children.”
The geographical spread shows two in Alfred Nzo District, two in Amathole District, four in Buffalo City Metro, four in Chris Hani District, one in Joe Gqabi District, seven in the Nelson Mandela Metro, six in OR Tambo District, and two in Sarah Baartman.
In addition, the department has three state-run child and youth care centres, one in Alfred Nzo District, and two in Nelson Mandela Metro.
There are also two registered, but not funded, centres in Amathole District.
According to Fanta, they have a provision of alternative care for children found to be in need of care and protection; this includes children subjected to various forms of abuse, including abandonment, as mandated by the Children’s Act.
