Twelve children rescued from Cape Town's streets

TWELVE children living on Cape Town’ streets have been removed in the latest operation by the Department of Social Development (DSD), law enforcement, and the Sea Point City Improvement District (CID).

- MURRAY SWART

Most are new cases, though a few have previously been assisted.

Ward councillor Nicola Jowell said the children are now in the care of a social worker, who has interviewed them, contacted families, and is trying to place them in safe environments.

“If a child cannot be placed with family, the social worker must approach the magistrate and start a court process,” she explained. “Let’s hope these 12 children are on the path to a more hopeful future.”

Street children in Cape Town have long been a concern. Activists estimate around 800 children roam the city, while the 2022 census counted 6600 people sleeping rough. Many children are aggressive, sometimes violent, and residents have reported harassment and theft, particularly around the Atlantic Seaboard.

Last month the Cape Argus reported on the concerns of Jacques Weber, chairperson of the Sea Point CID, who wrote to authorities such as the DSD, called it an issue of public safety, economic impact and community well-being

He said residents were living in fear and that the street children had become aggressive.