PARENTS EXPLOITING KIDS TO BEG FACE E10K FINE

MBABANE – Children as young as seven are allegedly exploited right in the city centre.

The children are allegedly being forced into begging, with reports suggesting that some are coerced by their own parents. They are often seen wandering through traffic or stationed at busy corners pleading for money from passersby, especially as night falls, while the parents allegedly hide in the shadows. Notably, this happens right in the streets where government officials, including those from Social Welfare, politicians and business professionals, among others, cross paths daily.

Worth noting is that the office of the Deputy Prime Minister (DPM) Thulisile Dladla, responsible for children’s welfare, is also within the city centre. This also happens closer to the Mbabane City Police Post. Under the Children’s Protection and Welfare Act of 2012, this exploitation of children is a clear violation of their rights. Forcing minors to beg is not only a crime, but also an infringement on their dignity and well-being.

According to the Children’s Protection and Welfare Act of 2012, Section 49, any person who  causes or procures any child or, being a person having the care of a child , allows that child to be on any street, premises or place for purposes of, (a) begging, receiving alms, whether  or not  there is any pretence of singing, playing, performing  or offering anything for sale, or (b) carrying out illegal hawking, lotteries, gambling  or other illegal activities detrimental to the health, welfare and educational advancement of the child  commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding E10 000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding two years or both.

Despite the daily presence of these children on the city’s streets, it appears that most people have allegedly turned a blind eye. Sources report that many of these children are seen begging during the evening hours, when the streets are quiet and the shadows provide cover for the alleged exploitation. While many officials and professionals retreat to their homes or social gatherings, the city remains active in a different way.  The bustling presence of officials and authorities is no deterrent to these acts of exploitation. Different people walk by, some offering coins, others offering nothing more than a glance. This publication visited the streets and discovered the undercurrent of survival. In the few days that were monitored, children under the age of 10, some above, were seen stationed at strategic points, pleading for change from passersby.

Forced

Some sources alleged that these children are forced into this life by their own families. According to sources, some parents send their children out to beg, viewing it as a way to supplement the family’s income. “I have seen mothers waiting in the shadows while their children ask for money,” one source said. It was alleged that the very people tasked with upholding laws and ensuring the welfare of citizens often move past without intervening, their attention seemingly focused elsewhere. Adding, it was stated that many citizens are well aware of the issue, yet many feel powerless to stop it.

Another source, who witnesses the begging children daily, remarked; “We see them all the time, especially in the evenings. It is sad, but it has become such a normal thing. You can give them a few coins, but that won’t solve the problem.” The source also cited the parents as complicit in the issue, saying some reportedly force their children to beg as a source of income. “No one is stopping them, and the children do it like it is part of their daily routine,” the source said.

One parent was also asked about these acts but she became aggressive.Meanwhile, the DPM, Thulisile Dladla, said she will send social workers to engage with the Municipal Council of Mbabane today, so that they can completely eradicate this norm. Dladla said they will work with the council to identify the children and also visit their homesteads to access their situations, so that they can be able to address the root cause. She stated that the parents who are forcing their children to beg are committing a crime. Dladla warned the parents to desist from their alleged acts and allow children to go to school and grow older.

“They are just teaching the children wrongdoings, to say life is all about asking, asking. There is the DPM office, where vulnerable children are taken care of, where we try and address the root causes of vulnerability,” she said. Adding, the DPM emphasised that parents should leave out the children in these acts, and allow them to grow, without any disturbances. According to Dladla, this is not right and it does not matter how vulnerable the parents are, they should not exploit the children. “We know that the unemployment rate is high. That does not mean they should abuse the children. We will follow up on this issue,” Dladla said.

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