The Gauteng Provincial Government pledged to protect undocumented minors, mainly Zimbabwean children, who are seeking sanctuary in the province.
Officials at the province's Health and Social Development said this was in response to the rising number of unaccompanied minors who had sought refuge in the province after leaving their countries of birth.
"Like all other children, these undocumented and unaccompanied minors need care and protection. They deserve the same attention as any other South African child," said Myrthle Morris, an official from the Department of Health and Social Development.
The statement was made during a presentation on the provincial government's policy on migrants' access to psychological services last week. Morris said the main problems unaccompanied minors faced were accessing healthcare services and applying for documentation.
To shield the youngsters from such challenges, the Department of Health and Social Development recently formed a task team, together the Consortium of South African Refugees Association, the Red Cross and the Centre for the Study of Violence and Reconciliation, among other organizations.the zimbabwean
