The Sea Point’s Central Improvement District (CID) and the Department of Social Development (DSD) has removed more than ten children off the streets within a week, hoping they will have a brighter and safer future while six are expected to be united with their families.
This week, DSD, alongside a team from Sea Point CID, including the manager, field officer, and law enforcement officers, continued their initiative to reintegrate street children into their homes. The children found roaming the streets of Sea Point were given a warm breakfast before being placed in the care of social workers.
The Department told the Cape Argus that the project was one of many which saw to the reintegration of street children with their families and confirmed that six would be reunited with their families soon.
“The Western Cape Department of Social Development has been aware of the issue for a while now, and we deal with it as we receive reports of cases of children living on the street,” they said.
DSD MEC Jaco Londt added that they urged the public to report criminal behaviour by minors and not provide support with the various departments: “We ask the public not to give these children money, but instead support registered Designated Child Protection Organisations, homeless shelters, and NGOs that provide support to the homeless.
“We also ask that people report criminal actions by minors to the SAPS. The Child Justice Act makes provision for the procedures to be followed by SAPS, the NPA, and Social Development when children under 18 years of age are charged with criminal offences.
“ Arrested minors can be placed into the Department’s secure care facilities, where they will receive the necessary developmental and rehabilitative programs, and convicted minors’ criminal records will be expunged when they become adults provided that they do not re-offend.”
Sea Point CID Chief Operations Officer Heather Tager confirmed that eight more children were assisted on Wednesday, April 2 and that three were removed and placed into DSD’s care on March 28.
In a public statement issued last week, the CID said: “In the early hours of Wednesday morning, the Sea Point CID team comprising of the CID Manager, CID Field Officer, Security, four Law Enforcement Officers and along with the joined forces of The Provincial Department of Social Development did a focused operation to locate and assist street children in the area.
“The main goal was to support their reintegration into their homes and help them return to school. This operation is one of several that have taken place since the Sea Point CID approached the Provincial Minister a few months ago, following a noticeable increase in the number of street children across the Atlantic Seaboard.
“This initiative, led by the Sea Point CID, forms part of a broader strategy to reduce the number of children living on the streets. Three children were identified during the operation, provided with breakfast arranged by the CID’s Field Worker, and then handed over to Social Workers for further care.
“While this work is challenging, many of the children show strong resistance to leaving the street; however the Sea Point CID remains committed.”
Cape Argus