Missing Children: SAPS procedures; Pink Ladies; Identi Masses; Eye on the Child Project; Valley Development Project; Isibindi Model

Meeting report

Briefing by the South African Police Services (SAPS)

A SAPS representative indicated that the number of cases involving missing children is a major concern. SAPS’ responsibility is to protect and safeguard all persons including children in South Africa. It is critical that communities report all cases of missing persons including children to the nearest police station as soon as possible. It must be emphasised once again that there is no waiting period to report any person including children as missing to SAPS. The missing person must be immediately reported to SAPS either personally or via a telephone call. There is then a process that must be followed after the reporting of the missing person including completion of SAPS 55 stating all the particulars including full description of missing person or child, and providing a recent photo if available. In terms of the statistics, there were 72 missing children that were reported in the 2017/18 financial year and 44 of those children were found. There were 49 missing children that were found in 2017/18 financial year that went missing from the previous years.

Out of of the total of 72 missing children in the 2017/18 financial year, 46 were females and 26 were males. The majority of the children that went missing were between the ages 14-18 years followed by those between 4-13 years. Out of the 44 children that went missing and found, 27 were females and 17 were males. Most of the children found were between the ages 14-18 years followed by those between 4-13 years. A total of 12 children that went missing were reported in Nyanga Cluster, followed by Blue Downs Cluster (7). There were 5 children reported missing each in Khayelitsha Cluster, Eden Cluster and Mitchells Plain Cluster. In terms of challenges that are being encountered by SAPS, some of the children are reported late as missing, there is also lack of parental supervision , socio-economic conditions and the problem of child abuse. SAPS also experiences cases where the third party reports child as missing or sketchy details provided by families on the missing persons.

Briefing by Pink Lady Organisation

Ms Dessie Rencher, Director: Pink Lady Organisation; stated that the Pink Lady Organisation was an  independent group of volunteers, affiliated and associated with The Pink Ladies (a registered Section 21 NGO). The organisation was established for the primary purpose of reuniting missing and endangered children and loved ones with their families and/or caregivers. The group does not charge for its services which are strictly voluntarily and performed for the love of children everywhere in South Africa regardless of colour, creed or circumstance. Not all cases of missing and/or exploited children make headlines and a large percentage is never reported to the police or social workers.

The organisation assists by taking an interest and assisting where possible, acting within strict protocols and operating within the laws of the country. The organisation does not act in a vigilante manner, nor does it condone such behaviour. Among its members and volunteers are lawyers, psychologists, pastors, private investigators and criminologists as well as ordinary members of society, all of whom lend their professional skills to assist in the recovery and return of missing, exploited and runaway teenagers and spouses. This is done in a variety of ways including raising awareness, assisting with the reporting of missing children and adults and referring to specialist guidance as and when required. SAPS is almost always involved and the organisation has a fine professional relationship with them. All donations are most welcome and dealt with in accordance with the laws which govern a registered NGO company. No dividends accrue to shareholders.

Briefing by Stellenbosch Child Welfare

Ms Bettie Niewoudt, Director: Stellenbosch Child Welfare indicated that Isolabantwana (Eye on the Child) is a community-based programme that provides short-term emergency safe houses for abused, neglected and exploited children. This programme, operational since 2003, was initiated in response to the increased incidences of child abuse reflected in CWSA statistics. Its success is based on the participation of community volunteers. Isolabantwana was designed by Cape Town Child Welfare, shared with the child welfare movement, and is recognised internationally as a good practice model. The trained volunteers are the eyes of the children and are there to assist children until social workers can intervene. This includes community volunteers authorised and mandated by the local Commissioner of Child Welfare to remove a child from danger in accordance with the Children’s Act. The trained volunteers create awareness in communities, and provide preventative and early intervention services for children and families through events, talks and workshops. They are recruited, screened and trained by CWSA to assist social workers in the prevention and management of child abuse. Volunteers provide a one-stop 24 hour protection service for children and safe houses with safety parents opening their homes to children in crisis for up to 48hrs until a social worker can intervene. Isolabantwana educators create awareness on the subject of child abuse in communities. To date, the provincial staff of CWSA, together with member organisations and 1 440 trained volunteers, has facilitated Isolabantwana in 74 predominantly un-serviced communities and assisted between 8 000 to 10 000 children annually in need of care and protection.

Ms Niewoudt added that the programme encourages young people to examine cultural influences in gender roles and re-learn how to adopt positive supportive roles. It is evidence based and has been piloted in some provinces.  It is unique in its concept, approach, design and implementation because it targets boys with approaches aimed at ensuring they become change agents. The model is premised on the view that boys, who acquire and build positive skills, will make quality choices which enables them relate with the opposite gender differently. It will enable young people develop skills to plan their future, prepare for life challenges, enhance relationship skills, learn the basics of personal growth, and understand how to seek economic opportunities. The intervention challenges certain gender stereotypes and behaviours which perpetuates and heighten violent behaviours towards women and girls. There is also an Empowering the Girl Child Programme works with young women in some of the most deprived communities. Through the programme, young girls find their way forward, developing their skills to build a future that is more equal and positive. Gender differences in South Africa are clearly reflected in girls’ increased risk to HIV/AIDS. Statistical data indicates that South Africa has been excessively affected by the HIV/AIDS pandemic. Prevalence rates are higher for women than for men, with the gender inequality being more striking among young people. Three female youths live with HIV for every one male youth (with prevalence rates of 15.5 vs. 4.8%, respectively).

Briefing by Identi Masses’

Dr Peter Kriel, Director: Identi Masses’ mentioned that Identi Masses has the vision to create a centralised, national and electronic database and a safe and secure DNA Bank for the benefit of each and every child in South Africa. No matter where and in which financial situation, each child will have equal rights and the opportunity to be registered. Identi Masses’ mission is to take a leadership role in providing SAPS and NGOs with all relevant and vital information: demographic and physical data, as well as a readily available and usable DNA sample, exclusively for use by SAPS. Identi Masses will immediately upon being informed of a child’s disappearance, alert all South African police stations, airports, border posts, the media and NPOs/NGOs involved with missing children, therewith creating much needed awareness as soon as possible. Identi Masses will make this service available to all children nationwide, thus making it easier to find missing children and also act as a deterrent to crime against children. In terms of how the organisation works, Identi Masses sends its capturing teams to all public and private schools in South Africa, urban and rural, to register all children electronically on the database on a pre-allocated school day. The parents fill in a questionnaire aligned with the SAPS 55 (a) form prior to the registration day and send it with their children to school.  The registration includes a high resolution photograph which is compatible with leading face recognition systems.  The collection of a DNA sample and electronic fingerprints of the child will be optional. During school holidays Identi Masses will visit old age homes, hospices and centrums for the disabled, to reach even more vulnerable individuals.

Dr Kriel highlighted that parents and children could benefit from this as the data is instantly available 24 hours per day, 365 days a year, to SAPS and NPOs involved with missing children in the event of a child going missing. The information cannot be misplaced or get lost because it is stored electronically in a safe and secure environment. The valuable time in the search for the child can be saved by having the data readily available.  Data gets captured and updated every two years. The identification of a found child is made easier by matching fingerprints or DNA – families can be reunited or get closure. The database acts as a deterrent to crime against children of any form, e.g. abduction, human trafficking, rape, molestation or murder.

Briefing by Valley Development Project

Ms Sue Burger, Social Worker Supervision, Valley Development Project (VDP), said that VDP is a registered NPO operating in Ocean View  and Masiphumelele in the Southern Cape Peninsula.  Focusing specifically on the protection and development of children and youth, VDP offers a number of services to children, youth and families in these historically disadvantaged communities. VDP began in 1989 as a satellite project of Catholic Welfare and Development with the aim of improving the lives of people living in Ocean View and Masiphumelele. In 1995 VDP became an independent organisation, and soon thereafter received its own NPO registration. Using an integrated development approach to combat a number of social issues, the organisation aims to alleviate poverty and address the imbalances of the past through various projects and programmes. VDP networks extensively with other NPOs in the Western Cape and profiles its projects and programmes in the broader community. VDP is the only NPO mandated by the Department of Social Development (DSD) to do statutory work in the Southern Cape Peninsula, receiving case referrals from many other organisations

Briefing by the Department of Social Development

Dr Lesley Corrie, Director: Child and Families, DSD, indicated that the Isibindi is a community-based prevention and early intervention programme developed by the National Association of Child Care Workers (NACCW). The Western Cape DSD has facilitated the implementation of this model since 2012. The key aspects of Isibindi included NACCW, DSD and implementing partners like NGOs. The Ministerial Project started in 2012/13 as a response to the HIV / AIDS crisis to strengthen community-based prevention and early intervention services for vulnerable children. The National DSD had a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in place with NACCW, which came to an end on 30 March 2018. The projects are implemented by community-based organisations. Child and youth care workers (CYCWs) are trained and employed in the organisations to support vulnerable children in their own communities. The child care workers help children in preparation of meals, hygiene in and around the home and accompany members to the clinic and helping on basic safety in and around the home.

Dr Corrie stated that there had been a number of successes on the project and these included addressing poverty and reducing inequality – focus on HIV risk education. The project has had reaching of1.4+ million vulnerable children in communities over 5 years (Nov 2017 – 1.2 million; WC 57 400). The Department was working with 400 NGO partners (Nov 2017 – 364; WC 21) and training 10 000 CYCWs (Nov 2017 – 6 922; WC 504). The matric pass rate for learners was 70 % and WC had two learners with one or more distinctions that accessed higher education. The WC created 24 safe spaces for children where they can play, do homework, receive a meal and access counselling and support services. They also reached 49 disabled children that were previously excluded from services. There were also challenges that had been identified and these included the following:

-Delays in the business process flow of funding.

-Retention of CYCWs.

-Organisations not always capacitated to govern and oversee service delivery standards.

-Accredited training – 18 months – learners leaving – Health and Welfare Sector Education and Training Authority (HWSETA) process.

-Setting up this programme at one site is costly (training; payment of 25 CYCWs; transport; communication; monthly accommodation for mentors; mentor stipend; mentor supervisor stipend; project manager stipend; maintenance of safe park; quality assurance of process).

Dr Corrie added that the Western Cape DSD will continue to implement Isibindi programmes at the existing sites. Communities where there are existing DIC were prioritised to facilitate the greater integration of service delivery on community-based level (next slide). The programme management, coordination, monitoring and reporting will reside with the Province, specifically in the Families Programme Office. The Programme will also monitor the implementation of the programme, explore expansion and identify where implementing organisations need support. NDSD reports will be quarterly submitted. There is a possible expansion of the programme to Khayelitsha and Delft. The Families Programme Office manages the Isibindi programme. There is now a bigger focus on prevention and early intervention and integration of services on community-base level.

Discussion

The Chairperson indicated that SAPS had to leave the meeting because they had to attend important issues. The Committee would ask Members to forward questions to SAPS in writing.

Ms P Makeleni (ANC) welcomed the presentations that had been made by different NGOs and it really feels good to see that there are people out there who are willing to protect our children voluntarily. In relation to the presentation by Pink Lady Association, what was the exact work that was being done by the organisation? What was your relationship with existing Early Childhood Developments (ECDs)? It would be important to know if there are any programmes by Pink Lady Association that are based in metros. How effective is the fingerprint system that was being used? What are the challenges that are hindering the work of Stellenbosch Child Welfare? What are the suggestions to address the challenges that had been identified? The Committee should be briefed as to how Identi Masses’ was helping in child recovery.

Ms D Gopie (ANC) wanted to know why Isolabantwana was only based in Southern Suburbs. It would be important to know why Pink Lady Organisation was given such a name. Was the focus only girls? How people that are volunteering? How many fingerprints that had been done thus far? What are the departments that were working with Identi Masses? The Committee should be provided with more information on the story of the disabled children that was assisted by Stellenbosch Child Welfare. Was the Department of Social Development aware of any NGOs that are present in the meeting today? Was the Department recruiting from these NGOs in the Isibindi Programme? Why are you only collaborating with Isolabantwana and is there any possibility of collaborating with other organisations?

Ms M Wenger (DA) said that the important question that was to be posed to SAPS was whether those children that had been found after missing were either found alive or not. There was an indication that Identi Masses was extracting DNA from children as part of keeping the database of children. The important question is how organisation was able to do this considering strict legislations on keeping DNA and fingerprints. How long do you keep the DNA information including fingerprints? Do you have any relationship with the Department of Home Affairs? How do you ensure that the information was kept safe? Do you destroy the information when children have reached certain age?

Mr D Mitchell (DA) questioned if there was a particular reason why the particular organisation did not reapply for funding. What is the name of the organisation that did not reapply for funding? How do you assist organisations with the reapplication process especially those in the Karoo with limited resources? There was an indication by the Department of Social Development that there is a training that is provided to volunteers. It would be important to ascertain if there is any further training that is being provided to volunteers so that they could be social workers or any other related work. Can the certificate for training be used outside of the work?

The Chairperson wanted to know if there is any particular reason why most of the programmes by the Department of Social Development are based in Saldhanha. What was being done to ensure that these programmes have a reach to other areas in the Western Cape?

Dr Kriel responded that Identi Masses decided to walk away on the use of DNA because of the complexities involved in the process of extracting and keeping the DNA. Identi Masses’ was not doing DNA anymore because of these strict regulations. The security system for fingerprints was 100% safe and even SAPS has given the organisation that assurance. The data of children is kept secured up until the age of 18 years old. The organisation was working closely with all the exit points and therefore when the child is reported missing the organisation would contact all airports and other exit points to notify them about the missing child with full descriptions and fingerprints. The organisation was working together with SAAPS in the Community and Safety and this is to assist SAPS with data capturing because there is no one with time to capture this information.

Ms Niewoudt replied that the organisation is mandated to work in certain areas but was also working with Community Police Forums (CPFs) and Neighborhood Watch. There are other areas where the organisation was working in but it was extremely difficult to cover all the desired areas because of the challenges that had been identified. The volunteers do not receive any form of income and this was one of the biggest challenges. There are volunteers who had been volunteering for 15 years without any form of payment. There is also a challenge of lack of facilities for ECDs especially in areas such as Eerste River. Children are faced with the challenge of lack of place of safety. The organisation was lobbying and collaborating with other organisations in order to transform society. The disabled child was rescued and placed in the special need environment where she would be accommodated with all her needs. There is a problem of high case loads with limited resources. There is a positive working relationship with the Department of Social Development. Isibindi is very similar to the programmes that were being offered by the organisation.

Dr Corrie explained that the Department was currently implementing programmes to other areas like Oudtshoorn and Mitchell Plain. The Department was starting to support other NGOs although was still a major challenge that needed to be addressed. Most of the applications for funding are from the West Coast.

Ms Rencher responded that the organisation started in 2007 and clarified that it was a Neighbourhood Watch at that time. Volunteers are working extremely hard with some working for 16 hours without resting.  The organisation was not only working on missing children but also car hijacking and suicide. There is a working relationship with visible policing and therefore the organisation was not only working on missing children. The organisation was also present in social media including Facebook and Twitter. The organisation was called Pink Lady Organisation because of a lady who was butchered and was wearing a pink top. The decision was to name the organisation Pink Lady Organisation after that lady. The organisation was working well with police and this something to be proud of. The success rate of the organisation was difficult to pinpoint but there was 92% recovery rate in the work that was being done with police. The organisation was registered under section 21 because it did not want to be told by police and politicians on how to do the work and therefore chose to work independently. The case is closed when the child is recovered. One of the challenges at the moment was having readily available data of the missing child instead of having to require people to provide that long description of the missing child. 

Mr Charles Jordan, Chief Director: Social Services, Department of Social Development; replied that any organisation has a right to apply or not apply for funding that is offered by the Department. There is an allocated R1.5 billion and 300 NGOs were funded. There is a three year cycle for funding and each and every organisation has to reapply for funding in order for funding to be renewed.

Dr Corrie said that the Department was aware of most organisations that are present in the meeting today and we do see eye to eye with most of these organisations. The Department would like to work further with these organisations present in the meeting.

The Chairperson wanted to know if there is any other computer program to be used by Identi Masses to locate missing children. The passion that was expressed by volunteers was highly appreciated as indicated by other Members. How to assist your volunteers who had gone through trauma?

Dr Kriel responded that there is a program that is being used to locate missing children and this is to assist to ensure that the missing children are located.

Ms Niewoudt replied that counseling was one of the biggest challenges facing the organisation because of lack of resources as there is no one who can do counseling for free of charge. However, there is a meeting once a month where a social worker would offer counseling session to all our volunteers. This is usually a short session and certainly not enough to sit individually with volunteers.

Ms Wenger questions as to whether what usually happened when the adopted child went missing as this was not covered by most organisations.

Mr Mitchell asked if there is a concerted effort to fill in the void that is in Karoo especially in Maritzburg.

Ms Rencher responded that yes indeed, there is a need to involve foster parents in trying to locate the missing child so as to get all the information. The social workers are responsible for any child that went missing while adopted.

The Chairperson thanked all the organisations that were present in the meeting. She reminded Members to forward all the questions to SAPS in writing.

The meeting was adjourned.