"We have placed six children aged between four months and 14 years at the children's place of safety after the SAPS called for assistance."
ABOUT 25 children smuggled into South Africa since March 2012 have been catered for at places of safety in North West, the Department of Social Development, Women, Children and People with Disabilities announced.
This came to light after six children from Zimbabwe were found at the Swartkop border gate near Zeerust on Monday, entering South Africa illegally.
According to the police two Somali men were found with the children, trying to transport them to South Africa illegally.
Police spokesman Thulani Ngubane said the two men, aged 25 and 42, were arrested after the police found them in the car with two of the children in the boot.
"One of the two men was in possession of asylum seekers' documents. And the other is a refugee with an RSA identity book," Ngubane said.
Department spokesman Vuyisile Ngesi said: "We have placed six children aged between four months and 14 years at the children's place of safety after the SAPS called for assistance.
"We are going to keep them here and give them all the benefits until the investigation is concluded.
"The police will determine the identity of the children. Our duty is just to take care of them."
He added that there were 23 Zimbabwean children and two from Botswana.
The two suspects appeared in the Lehurutshe Magistrate's Court on Wednesday on charges of contravening the South African Immigration Act of 2002. Their case was postponed to Monday.
More kids smuggled
"We have placed six children aged between four months and 14 years at the children's place of safety after the SAPS called for assistance."
ABOUT 25 children smuggled into South Africa since March 2012 have been catered for at places of safety in North West, the Department of Social Development, Women, Children and People with Disabilities announced.
This came to light after six children from Zimbabwe were found at the Swartkop border gate near Zeerust on Monday, entering South Africa illegally.
According to the police two Somali men were found with the children, trying to transport them to South Africa illegally.
Police spokesman Thulani Ngubane said the two men, aged 25 and 42, were arrested after the police found them in the car with two of the children in the boot.
"One of the two men was in possession of asylum seekers' documents. And the other is a refugee with an RSA identity book," Ngubane said.
Department spokesman Vuyisile Ngesi said: "We have placed six children aged between four months and 14 years at the children's place of safety after the SAPS called for assistance.
"We are going to keep them here and give them all the benefits until the investigation is concluded.
"The police will determine the identity of the children. Our duty is just to take care of them."
He added that there were 23 Zimbabwean children and two from Botswana.
The two suspects appeared in the Lehurutshe Magistrate's Court on Wednesday on charges of contravening the South African Immigration Act of 2002. Their case was postponed to Monday.
Would you like to comment on this article?
Register (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Trending
Latest Videos