The message about a child that begs in the area lying dead in the street sent chills down the spine of Ward 8 councillor, Gustav Rautenbach.
He rushed to the scene to find the 10-year-old boy unresponsive, but still alive.
“I managed to wake him and forced him to drink some water before calling the metro’s ambulance,” said Rautenbach.
“The child collapsed at the intersection connecting Centenary Road, Circular Drive and Willow Road.”
He explained that this has been one of his fears since under-age children started begging in the streets of the ward.
On this particular day it was extremely hot and Rautenbach commented that based on his basic first aid knowledge, he suspected that the child suffered a heat stroke, acknowledging that he is not a doctor.
“We have been struggling with the issue of these young children, all of them around the age of approximately 10 years, begging in the streets here.
Rautenbach added that the children are a danger to themselves, as they run between cars in the street.
“This is a very urgent matter because it involves children. I am concerned about the wellbeing of these children. I feel very sorry for them and it is unacceptable that they have to be exposed to the elements like this.”
Rautenbach acknowledged that this is a social problem everywhere, but believes that something should be done about this.
“Sometimes they even lie down on the island in the middle of the road, causing further danger to themselves because a car can easily lose control and go over that island.”
He added that he has been waiting for a response from social development, but to no avail.
“I have written to them and followed up several times. I received a response saying that my query would be forwarded to the relevant division, but it has been quiet since and no action has been taken.”
Rautenbach believes government has a role to play in solving this problem and should not neglect their responsibilities.
Mzukisi Solani, spokesperson for the EC department of social development, said in response, “The issue of children begging on the streets is one of the social ills we are concerned about. It needs a whole community to come together as a collective to curb it.
“Stakeholders in different areas, NGOs and NPOs, Community structures and leaders, private sector and different government departments with local government are to take part and find ways around the issue, as it is not solely a Social Development matter,” he said.
Solani further said, “What the Department has been doing in Nelson Mandela District to intervene is visiting the spots where normally these cases are found. Upon assessment by social workers, it is then discovered that the cases of the children differ from one to the other.
“Cases will then be allocated for Social Work intervention depending on reasons. We found that some are not homeless, some are sent by adults to beg, some go to school then in the afternoon stand by the robots. It’s a whole lot of different reasons that will then be dealt with once a case has been allocated to a Social Worker after investigation and assessments are done.
“It is a great concern for the Department as well, especially if a child is being used by adults for this act, and when children are taken out of school for no reason because that’s where they find stability, routine and nutritious meals.”
