The past weekend has been an emotional one for the children and staff of Môrester Children’s Home and Home Meah. But, the fight for the well-being of the children is far from over.
Rev Gerhard Botha, CEO of KwaZulu-Natal Christian Social Services says the management of the KZN CSS will now take legal steps.
This comes after 200 children from three children’s homes under control of the CSS were removed forcefully and suddenly by the Department of Social Development (DSD). This without any reasons being given for this drastic measure.
Officials from the DSD on Friday, February 15, and Saturday, February 16 showed up at Môrester Ladysmith, Môrester Newcastle and Home Meah. These officials then proceeded to remove all the children from these homes.
The children range from babies to 18 years old. All removed forcefully, without any reasons being given. Taken to undisclosed locations.
Also read: Department of Social Development removes children from
Môrester Home
Verbal and written objections from CSS’s lawyers and numerous requests to first discuss the matter, falling on deaf ears.
The DSD never communicated with the CSS or the management of any of the three houses on this matter. Botha says they were never informed of the alleged problem, nor of the decision to remove the children from the homes. None of the children’s parents or guardians were informed that the children will be relocated. Or where they will be relocated to.
“According to rumours the department received anonymous complaints about the homes. But we cannot know this for sure since the department has until now refused to discuss the matter with the CSS management,” says Botha.
“If there are indeed complaints, we are more than willing to give our full cooperation in a thorough investigation alongside the department and rectify any problems as guided by the department. But was it really necessary to traumatise 200 vulnerable children in such a cruel manner?”
Botha adds some of the children were even whisked away without their medication being packed. Thereby placing these children’s health in jeopardy.
“Can you imagine the fear and uncertainty of these children when people unknown to them showed up, forced them out of their beds and into vehicles without them knowing where they are going or why?”
CSS offered alternatives to the children being removed. Such as removing the staff and replacing them with employees from the department. Or having officials from the department oversee all the operations in the three houses until the matter can be discussed and then decid on a suitable course of action. These suggestions were simply ignored by the department.
“All we want for our children is to be back home where they feel safe and cared for. The best interest of our children are always our first priority. Therefore, any complaints must and will be thoroughly investigated. We are continuously willing to give our full cooperation to the department and take any corrective measures necessary, but unfortunately we were never given the chance to do so,” says Botha.
The CSS will lodge an urgent application with the high court in Pietermaritzburg today, February 18, to have the children returned to the homes immediately pending further investigation into the matter.
2 Responses
My question remains: who has the highest authority in this case? The staff of the homes or the unknown people who barge in and don’t have the decency to handle the situation legally and professional. And with empathy towards the children and the staff. And if and when the children return, will they receive counceling by professional councelors?
It is scary that no one knows where these children are being taken. We all know about human trafficking and selling of babies . At least reassure someone that the childrens whereabouts. Pray all these children are brought safe back to where they want to be. God please protect them.