KZN Social Development says 19 children removed from religious compound in KwaMaphumulo

The KwaZulu-Natal Social Development Department has confirmed the removal of 19 children from a religious compound in KwaMaphumulo, north of the province. 

The children were living at Ikhaya Labafundi church in Dabangu and were taken into the department’s care over safety concerns. 

The church leader faces allegations of human rights abuses and isolating members from the wider community. 

Followers are reportedly instructed to abandon worldly possessions and reject modern medicine, including life-saving antiretroviral treatment, in favour of faith healing. 

MEC Mbali Shinga visited the site this week alongside the CRL Rights Commission chairperson, Thoko Mkhwanazi-Xaluva.

Shinga said the children were removed to protect them and prevent further harm. 

"We are not dumping them anywhere. We are working very hard with other departments to place them in schools. They're already placed in our child and youth care centres. So, working with other stakeholders, we want to ensure that they are now placed in schools. We are in the process of finalising the termination of the Sasa grant to those who still keep the cards, but they do not have kids with them. They can't be double-dipping."