THERE is rampant increase of unregistered centres countrywide purporting to be children’s homes, the Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare secretary Ngoni Masoka has said. MTHANDAZO NYONI OWN CORRESPONDENT
He said the public should be careful in donating to institutions that cannot provide a registration certificate signed by his ministry.
He also requested the public to report any suspected operations of unregistered children’s homes in their neighbourhood or any place suspected of accommodating children whose activities might be suspicious.
“Individuals, churches and welfare organisations are strongly advised against taking in or placing a child in a children’s home (whether registered or unregistered) as this is the sole mandate of the probation officer in the department of social services. Placement has to be conducted procedurally according to the law,” Masoka said.
“The ministry will not hesitate to remove children from all unregistered children’s homes and closing down all such institutions that are not accountable to the law, hence a danger to all children in their custody.”
He also said the mandate to register children’s homes rested solely and exclusively with his ministry.
