Source: 70 children removed from Harare streets – herald
Theseus Shambare
A TWO-YEAR-OLD was among more than 70 children removed from the streets of Harare since January, as authorities intensified efforts to protect minors from exploitation in the central business district and surrounding areas.
The 70-plus total is cumulative and includes foreign nationals and children from outside Harare, whereas the 54 local children – 15 girls and 39 boys – were specifically identified during the Harare operation.
Epworth suburb has emerged as the major hotspot for street-connected children, followed by Chitungwiza.
These children, aged between two and 18 years, were being exploited for street begging by adults and older youths, in clear violation of national child protection laws.
Broken families, weak parental capacity, substance abuse and peer influence have been cited as major factors driving children back to the streets, complicating efforts at rehabilitation and reintegration.
A recent viral video showing children fighting in the CBD underscored another dimension: substance abuse.
Investigations by the Department of Social Development revealed that a 16-year-old boy under the influence of intoxicating substances had instigated the altercation.
The children involved were swiftly removed and placed in residential care.
In an interview, Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare Permanent Secretary Mr Simon Masanga said drug exposure remains a key challenge, further complicating reintegration efforts.
“From January to date, more than 70 children have been removed from the streets of Harare to places of safety.
“This includes foreign nationals and non-Harare children, whereas the 54 local children – 15 females and 39 males – were identified in the Harare operation.
“All these children, aged 2 to 18 years, were being exploited through street begging and all have been profiled and taken to places of safety. Epworth is the major hotspot, followed by Chitungwiza,” he said.
Mr Masanga said the Ministry works in collaboration with the Zimbabwe Republic Police, child protection officers and civil society partners to dismantle networks exploiting children and to ensure child-friendly interventions.
“Children removed from the streets require long-term, multisectoral interventions rather than short-term placements,” he said.
“We are strengthening family tracing, psycho-social support, vocational skills training and linkages to social protection programmes such as BEAM and social cash transfers. Our goal is to provide safety, dignity and a pathway out of poverty for these children.”
The Government plans to scale up street outreach, intensify public awareness campaigns in hotspot areas and implement multisectoral interventions to prevent vagrancy, street trading and substance abuse, ensuring that children are not treated as criminals, but as minors in need of care and protection.
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