33 Zimbabwe minors repatriated from SA
THE Zimbabwe Consulate in South has facilitated the repatriation of 33 children after they were recently intercepted at Beitbridge Border Post.
The children aged between three years and 16 years were transported by two men in a Toyota Quantum on January 13 when they were intercepted by Border Management Authority officials.
Two men who were smuggling them have since been charged for violating immigration laws in South Africa.
In a statement yesterday, the Zimbabwe Consulate in Johannesburg said the children had been handed over to the social development department at Beitbridge for reunification with their parents and guardians.
“The Zimbabwe Consulate in Johannesburg wishes to inform the public that in collaboration with the Department of Social Development of South Africa and relevant stakeholders, it has successfully profiled and facilitated the repatriation of thirty-three children who were intercepted on January 13 while travelling from various parts of South Africa to Zimbabwe,” said the Consulate.
“The children whose ages range from three years to 16 years were travelling without proper travelling documents. Upon arrival in Zimbabwe on January 23, they were handed over to the department of Social Welfare for further assessment, protection and safe reunification with their families in line with the national child protection frameworks”.
The consulate said the Government places highest priority on the safety, dignity and wellbeing of children and strongly urged parents and guardians and transporters against the practice of moving children without valid travel documents.
It said illegal and irregular migration exposes children to serious risks including trafficking, abuse, neglect, detention and loss of identity.
The Consulate said to ensure people have access to travel documents the Government had rolled out the e-passport services to the Consulate in Johannesburg to promote safe migration and ensure that people are documented.
“The Zimbabwe Consulate in Johannesburg urges all Zimbabwean nationals to plan travel responsibly, ensure children are fully documented, and adhere to all immigration and child protection laws. Collective vigilance and compliance are critical to protecting our children and upholding their fundamental rights,” said the Consulate.
