The dark side of poverty: KZN's growing child begging syndicates exposed
'ORGANISED SYNDICATES ARE RENTING CHILDREN'
Forcing children to beg is a punishable offence
Image: File
THE KZN Department of Social Development has raised alarm over the rising trend of children being forced to beg on the streets, revealing that organised syndicates are now 'renting' children from desperate parents.
This disturbing practice, driven by extreme poverty, violates multiple children's rights laws and has become a significant social crisis in eThekwini, DSD said.
Officials are urging the public to report such cases immediately.
“This is a violation of the children’s rights as per the Children’s Act 38 of 2005, which explicitly states that in all matters concerning the care, protection and well-being of a child. The child’s best interest is of utmost importance.
“There have been a number of cases of this nature, and this has become a significant social issue driven by poverty in our communities. It has escalated to organised syndicates that have been reported,” said Thuba Vilane, spokesperson for the KZN DSD.
He said parents are driven by the extreme lack of employment, being uneducated and uninformed and marginalisation.
“This is a punishable offence as it infringes on the children’s right to education, development, and to be cared for and protected. The Children’s Act 38 of 2005; section 150 considers such children to be children in need of care and protection as they are exposed to circumstances, which may seriously harm the physical, mental or social well-being of the child.”
The issue of child begging, he said, had escalated to organised syndicates, where hundreds of children in the eThekwini area were believed to be part of child-begging networks that operate within the City.
He said reports had revealed exploitation of children which involved parents and guardians “renting out” their children to begging syndicates in the city.
“The Basic Conditions of Employment Act 75 of 1997 prohibits the employment of children under the age of 15 years or below the minimum school leaving age. It is a criminal offence to employ children in this age group, except for specific, permitted work in the performing arts with department’s approval.
“For children aged 15 to 18, work must not be hazardous, inappropriate or harmful to their education, health or development,” he said.
Vilane encouraged the public to report such incidents at the DSD offices or to the Childline hotline on 116 or 0800 055 555.