An atmosphere of tension fills the air, as the Department of Social Development (DSD) descends on Morester Children’s Home.
Staff, social workers and careworkers from the children’s home Newcastle in a state of shock. The Department of Social Development (DSD) wants to shut its doors.
The horrifying ordeal began on Friday night, February 15, when DSD tried to remove the children. Tracy Harkness and Belinda Ellor manage to keep the DSD staff at bay. Police officers getting ready to assist the DSD.
Home Meah has already had to hand over the babies in its care. A staggering 150 children have also already been removed from Ladysmith Morester Children’s Home.
While the DSD was kept at bay on Friday, they returned this morning (February 16). It is this return which saw community members rallying to try and support Morester Children’s Home and the youth in their care.
But why is this happening?
“An SMS allegedly went out, making unsubstantial allegations. Now, they want to close all three homes. This is
Gerhard Botha, the CEO of the KwaZulu-Natal Christian Social Services (CMD), the organisation which oversees the running of the homes, elaborates further on the matter.
“DSD apparently started contacting social workers, telling them to remove children from our care. DSD did not communicate anything with us. It is only after social workers started contacting us, that we contacted DSD to find out what is going on.”
Mr Botha adds that they are being told nothing, not even what the allegations are. “We asked them to tell us, so we can help them investigate. But for them to try and remove the children during the night, makes no sense. They do not have the best interests of the children at heart. Where are they taking them?!”
On Friday night, the CMD was still in the process of getting a court interdict to stop the DSD from removing the children. Further legal letters from both CMD and its legal team were sent to DSD earlier that day, but to no avail.
The DSD was still determined to remove the children. Allegedly, the DSD received reports of abuse.
Belinda Ellor and Tracy Harkness were in a state. The two women staying at the home until late on Friday evening. Then returning early this morning, February 16, their only desire to keep the precious children safe.
“These children are already vulnerable, and this will traumatise them further,” emphasises Belinda.
This morning, February 16, Gerhard Botha explained the CMD is taking steps in order to take the DSD to court.
Wrought with emotion, the children demanded they remain in the home’s care. Their demands falling on deaf ears, as they are forced to pack their bags and be taken to undisclosed facilities.
Supporting community members left in a state of anger and shock that the DSD is continuing its mission in removing the kids.
The DSD remaining silent on both where the children are being sent or the seriousness of the allegations.
Will the children be returned safely to the home after the investigations conclude? Only time will tell, but was the welfare of the children truly taken into consideration? Are their needs being thought of?
Rudi van Dyk, a family member of one of the children, vented his anger at the situation.
“We found out what was going on through Facebook. No one notified us at all,” he fumed.
Angry about the situation, he too demanded answers. Questions which remained largely unanswered.
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One Response
I am horrified at the actions of the DSD! It appears that the DSD does not have these children’s interests at heart. What is their hidden agenda? Why use the cloak of darkness to try and remove these precious children? Where have the babies from Home Miah been placed? I am saddened!