FIVE-YEAR-OLD SET TO START A NEW CHAPTER IN SOUTH AFRICA

 By Precious Mupenzi

• A young child, who was born in a prison in Mauritius, is preparing to meet her maternal grandmother and her brothers in the North West province as the Department of Social Development organises her repatriation to South Africa.
• South Africa’s Department of Social Development, in partnership with the South African diplomatic mission in Mauritius, has been working diligently for the past three years to bring the little girl back to her maternal family.
• After spending the festive season with her extended family in South Africa, the little girl will start a new journey in the new year, when she begins her schooling in Grade R.

A five-year-old South African girl, who has spent her entire life behind prison walls in Mauritius, is preparing to leave the only home she has ever known.

As her mother, awaiting trial since 2019, bids her farewell, the little girl is about to embark on a new journey to unite with her extended family in South Africa, marking the beginning of a brighter future beyond the confines of the prison.

Born in prison, the little girl, who has only known the walls of the Beau Bassin Women’s Prison as home, is about to be join her maternal family in South Africa.

As the process of repatriation is set in motion, it is not only a milestone for the mother and child but also a deeply emotional event for all those involved, from prison officials to South African embassy staff.

South Africa’s Department of Social Development, in partnership with the South African diplomatic mission in Mauritius, has been working diligently to bring the little girl home to her maternal family.

As the child turns five, Mauritian law requires that she be moved out of the correctional facility, as children are only allowed to stay with their mothers until the age of five.

A Christmas gift

This bittersweet farewell between mother and daughter will take place on Thursday, 12 December 2024, just days before Christmas, and for the small family in South Africa, it will be an event like no other.

As the child prepares to leave the correctional facility, a senior officer at the Mauritius Prison Service Headquarters warmly reminded her: “Don’t forget your Christmas present when you leave.”

The little one, with her infectious smile and soft, round, chubby cheeks, nodded with excitement, having recently received a Christmas gift at a carol event organised by a local non-profit associated with the prison.

The first meeting with her grandmother and two siblings in South Africa will undoubtedly be the best Christmas gift ever for this little angel.

The child has survived all odds. Her mother only became aware of her pregnancy during her arrest for drug trafficking.

The woman, a former security guard in South Africa, was coerced into trafficking drugs by a man she met in her hometown. Desperation and the allure of quick money led her down a dangerous path, unaware that she was pregnant when she swallowed the drugs. The drugs she ingested, along with the foetus inside her, posed a grave risk to her unborn child. Yet, despite the extreme danger, the child was born healthy.

The discovery of her pregnancy while in custody marked the beginning of a new chapter for both mother and child – one filled with remorse, reflection, and hope for the future.

Deep bonds

Although the little one has never met her father, she has formed deep bonds with her mother and the prison community.

As the little one prepares to leave, the emotional strain is felt not just by the mother but by everyone involved, from prison officials to the Department of Social Development representatives. “We do everything possible to ensure that children in prison have a safe environment and are able to grow despite their circumstances. We are very proud of this mother and her courage,” said the Deputy Commissioner of the Mauritius Prison Service, Aubeeluck Gunneete.

She acknowledged that, while the child’s departure is necessary due to Mauritian law, the bond they shared with her has been profound. “It is difficult for us as well,” she said.

The little girl’s interaction with those around her has been warm and familiar, as the child communicates primarily in Creole, the local language, although she also understands some Xhosa phrases spoken by her mother.

Her beautiful smile has captured the hearts of many, lighting up rooms and drawing in everyone around her. With her bright, bubbly personality, she has become a beloved figure in the prison and has left a lasting impression on both prison staff, the South African mission in Mauritius and the Department of Social Development officials.

Educational journey

At the age of two, the little girl started attending day care outside the prison, accompanied by an escort officer.

Gunneete explained that this process was designed to ensure that the could experience a normal childhood, just like any other child. “Our escort officers do not wear uniforms to avoid any stigma and to help the child feel like she belongs with other children.”

Although the little girl has never met her older brothers in person, she has been able to connect with them virtually through Skype, a service provided to all prisoners.

Her mother, who has been preparing her for this upcoming journey, was aware that the time was approaching for her to unite with her extended family.

The process of repatriation began when the little girl was three years old, but her mother, understandably reluctant, kept postponing the process in order to spend more time with her daughter.

“In Mauritius, the law allows children to stay in prison with their mothers until the age of five,” Gunneete noted. “In the past, this limit was two years, but the law was amended to allow children to stay longer, which helps ensure that the best interests of the child are met.”

As part of the repatriation, the child will be placed with her grandmother, and her future in South Africa will be secured through foster care arrangements.

Dikeledi Louw, the Department of Social Development’s Social Policy Developer, outlined the legal process. “Children’s Court proceedings will be opened, and the child will be placed in foster care as per the Children’s Act. This will ensure her best interests are prioritised, allowing her to grow up in a stable, loving family environment.”

A women’s prison

The Beau Bassin Women’s Prison is one of three female correctional facilities in Mauritius, and its expansive grounds include ample parking space and recreational facilities.

Currently, the prison houses six mothers, with a few more pregnant women among the inmates.

During a discussion, one of the officials shed light on the unfortunate reality that drug traffickers often target vulnerable pregnant women, exploiting their circumstances to further their illegal activities.

“They tell these women that if they are pregnant, it is less likely they will be caught, using the pregnancy as a cover for their trafficking activities. Some even travel with children, believing that this will distract immigration officers,” explained Gunneete. She emphasised that these deceptive tactics are part of a dangerous web traffickers use to lure women into drug smuggling operations, taking advantage of their desperate situations.

A further twist to the little girl’s story is that she holds dual citizenship, having been born in Mauritius and granted a Mauritian birth certificate. The prison staff jokingly remarked that she could always return to Mauritius, maybe even marrying a Mauritian one day.

“This country will always be her home,” they said fondly, recognising the strong bond she shares with the country despite the circumstances of her birth.

The little one will bring all her preschool reports with her, ready to start Grade R in the 2025.

The timing of her repatriation could not be more ideal, as it ensures she will be able to join her new family and start school without delay. Her mother is relieved her daughter will begin her education on time.

Gunneete emphasised that the timing of the repatriation aligns well with the child’s future. “It’s important that this process happens now, as it will allow her to reunite with her family and begin her schooling in South Africa, just like any other child.”