Vulnerable children abused in foster home in Emfuleni

EMFULENI - The DA says following complaints of alleged abuse in a foster home in Emfuleni Local Municipality, he submitted questions to the Gauteng MEC for Social Development, Mbali Hlophe, to determine the extent of the problem. 16 Cases of abuse of foster childre, have been opened at police stations across Gauteng, including child abuse, child neglect, common assault, rape and sexual abuse. All the cases opened have not yet been finalised in court. The DA’s Kingsol Chabalala says he is shocked by MEC Hlophe’s response, stating that the department is not aware of cases of abuse at foster. According to Chabalala the MEC is clearly out of touch with what is happening in her department and clueless about the well-being and safety of the 41863 children living in foster homes in Gauteng. The DA demands that the vetting process for foster parents be properly followed and that regular wellness checks be conducted to ensure no abuse occurs. Chabala says he will continue to keep a watchful eye on foster care in Emfuleni and call on anyone with information about abuse to come forward and report these cases to the authorities.