MAURITIUS OFFICIALLY HANDS OVER FIVE-YEAR-OLD TO SA OFFICIALS FOR REPATRIATION

• Mauritius has officially placed the five-year-old child being repatriated to South Africa in the care of the Department of Social Development.
• The young girl’s mother, who was arrested in Mauritius in 2019 for drug trafficking, says seeing her daughter leave is painful, but “it’s for the best, for her future”.
• The child will arrive in South Africa on Friday, 13 December 2024, where she will meet her grandmother.

Port Louis: The Republic of Mauritius has officially handed over a five-year-old girl, who was born in a Mauritius prison after her mother was arrested for drug trafficking, to representatives of South Africa’s Department of Social Development.

 In an emotional handover, the mother and daughter hugged and kissed before the gates of the Beau Bassin Prison closed behind the little girl.

“It is painful to see her go, but I know it’s for the best, for her future,” said the mother.

She also expressed her regret for placing herself in such a difficult position, where she would not be able to see her child grow while her case is being finalised.

The mother is still awaiting trial since being arrested in 2019.

As she left, all the female South Africans incarcerated in the prison formed a guard of honour to bid farewell to the little girl.

Earlier in the day, the child went to say good bye to her early childhood development teacher, who expressed her sorrow in seeing the young girl leave. “It is sad to see her go, but we are also happy for her, and we understand that it is time to let her go so she can grow with her family and in her country,” she said.

The teacher revealed that the five-year-old was very close to her own daughter and occasionally requested to go on play dates with her.

She described the child as independent and mature beyond her age who helped her to pack up things in class and always offered assistance to the teachers.

The delegation will touch down in South Africa tomorrow evening when the girl will be handed over to her grandmother who is eagerly waiting for her.

Her grandmother said the return of the child is the greatest Christmas present for her and her family.

“The timing of her repatriation could not be more ideal as it ensures that she will be able to join us as a family and start school without delay,” said the grandmother.

Deputy Commissioner at the Mauritian prison, Aubeeluck Gunneete, emphasised: “It is important that this repatriation process happens now, as it will allow (the child) to reunite with her family and begin her schooling in South Africa just like any other child.”

The girl is the 25th child to be repatriated from another country.

South Africa is mandated by Section 7 of the Children’s Act, 38 of 2005, to protect the best interests of the child.

Section 7(1)(f)(ii) of the Act states that the Department of Social Development ensure that a child “maintains a connection with his or her extended family, culture or tradition”.

Issued by the national Department of Social Development

Media enquiries may be forwarded to Bathembu Futshane via WhatsApp on 071 162 1154 or bathembuf@dsd.gov.za.