Cape Town – Minister of Home Affairs Aaron Motsoaledi says the 443 children from Zimbabwe, intercepted by the Border Management Authority (BMA) while being transported across the Beitbridge border post, have been handed over to Zimbabwean authorities for processing.
“They were all taken back to Zimbabwe, including the children.
“We condemn in the strongest possible terms these acts of criminality especially where the interest of the child is at stake. It’s unacceptable that these minors were not with their parents or guardians throughout this ordeal. Protecting children, especially in this period of the 16 Days of Activism for No Violence against Women and Children Campaign, is paramount,” Motsoaledi said
The BMA discovered the children, all under eight years old, traveling without parents or guardians on 42 buses.
All individuals on the buses, including the children, were refused entry into South Africa and returned to Zimbabwe.
The Border Management Authority announced that 443 children were rescued from human traffickers at the Beitbridge border post on Saturday evening. Home Affairs Minister Aaron Motsoaledi says the children were found in 43 different buses.
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Motsoaledi condemned the criminal acts, emphasising the importance of protecting children, especially during the 16 Days of Activism for No Violence against Women and Children Campaign.
He said that incident highlights the BMA’s success in addressing border security concerns, and Motsoaledi affirmed the commitment to enforcing immigration and other laws for national security, particularly during the festive season.
“It’s a good sign in tackling sharply the outcry on porous borders. We’ll continue relentlessly to act swiftly in enforcing immigration and other laws in the interest of national security and safety of all persons in the country, especially during this peak period, the festive season, and beyond.”
Additionally, 150 adult Zimbabwean nationals were apprehended on the same night, and efforts are underway to identify and apprehend all perpetrators involved in the incident.
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Compiled by Betha Madhomu
