Mozambican Teenagers Rescued from Stilfontein Mines Begin Journey Home

The North West Department of Social Development is set to repatriate 27 undocumented Mozambican teenagers today, more than a month after they were discovered in abandoned mines in Stilfontein.

The teenagers had been involved in illegal mining activities in Stilfontein and Matlosana, Klerksdorp, and are suspected to have been trafficked into South Africa.

Social development spokesperson, Petrus Siko, confirmed that 15 of the teenagers were found by police in Matlosana, while 12 others were rescued from the abandoned mines and placed in temporary safe care in Mahikeng for two weeks.

This intervention followed the Children’s Act, which requires the removal of children from dangerous situations and their placement in safe care.

Siko explained that on Tuesday, social workers, with police escort, were granted permission by the court to repatriate the children to Mozambique via the Lebombo border. The Mozambican Consulate issued temporary travel documents, and the care-to-care process between the two countries’ social development departments ensured a safe handover.

MEC for Social Development, Sussana Dantjie, praised her department for providing the necessary care and facilitating the repatriation. She also expressed gratitude to the Mozambican Consulate for expediting the process.

Dantjie assured that her department is prepared to assist other children who may emerge from the Stilfontein mines in the future.

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