Stilfontein mine: Increase in children arrested sparks further human trafficking, child labour concerns

STILFONTEIN - The number of undocumented children arrested for illegal mining in Stilfontein has increased, sparking further concerns about human trafficking and child labour.  

The figure surpassed 100 on Thursday after a group of teenagers resurfaced from an abandoned gold mine.  

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The boys, from Zimbabwe and Mozambique, were arrested and charged with trespassing and contravening the Immigration Act. They are aged between 14 and 19 years old.  

The Department of Social Development has stepped in to try to place some of the children in a place of safety while they are being processed by police.  

The department’s spokesperson, Bathembu Futshane, said finding accommodation for them will not interfere with legal processes.  

“The court will, in terms of the provisions of the Child Justice Act, formally charge the children while they are placed in the safety of the facilities of the department.”  

Futshane said the South African government is also in talks with member states of the Southern African Development Community (SADC).  

“The department has engaged the Zimbabwean and Mozambican embassies for the issuance of repatriation certificates and travelling documents. Health services have been provided to the children to ensure that they are healthy and were not violated.”