SWIFT ACTION SAVES FOUR SIBLINGS AFTER SHOCKING NEGLECT CASE IN MAKAUSE

By Madali Chibambu.

• A shocking case of child neglect has had a positive outcome for four young children who were abandoned by their mother in the Makause informal settlement in Germiston.
• The children, aged between two and 13, are now being relocated to live with their grandmother in Cape Town.
• ⁠Social workers from the Gauteng Department of Social Development stepped in to help as soon as they heard of the children’s plight.

The Gauteng Department of Social Development has stepped in decisively to safeguard four vulnerable children from the Makause informal settlement in Germiston after reports emerged that they had been abandoned by their mother.

The intervention was triggered by a newspaper article detailing how the mother – whose identity is being withheld to protect the minors – allegedly left immediately after receiving the children’s grant money, forcing neighbours to care for the siblings.

The department responded immediately, launching an urgent investigation to assess the children’s safety and well-being.

On their arrival, social workers found the children, aged between two and 13, living alone in a shack with no food and no adult supervision.

Acting regional director Adel de Bruin confirmed that the eldest child had been taking on adult responsibilities to keep the family afloat.

“Each time the mother receives the child support grant, she disappears, leaving the children without food and proper care. The 13-year-old has been the one cooking, bathing the younger ones, and doing the household chores,” said De Bruin.

Social workers immediately engaged with community members to gather more information.

Neighbours reported that the children’s mother had not returned since 6 November 2025 and that her neglect had been a recurring occurrence.

They also informed officials that the children attend school in Spruitview, although the school’s name was unknown.

On hearing the news, the children’s maternal grandmother, who lives in Cape Town, expressed her deep concern and asked that the children be placed in her care. She also arranged financial support for their travel. Their uncle also assisted with preparations for the relocation.

Although no criminal case was opened at the grandmother’s request, the department officially placed the incident on record and ensured that all procedures were properly followed to safeguard the well-being of the children.

The Gauteng Department of Social Development will now collaborate with its Western Cape counterpart to ensure that the grandmother is formally recognised as the children’s caregiver, reinforcing the government’s commitment to protecting children and ensuring their access to safe, nurturing family environments.