ALMOST 7000 FOSTER CHILDREN AWAITING PLACEMENT IN GAUTENG

6778 children in Gauteng are awaiting placement in foster care and even more disturbing is that some cases are taking as long as 36 months. This was revealed by Health and Social Development MEC Ntombi Mekgwe in a written reply to questions in the Gauteng Legislature by DA Gauteng MPL, Hendrika Kruger. 

Mekgwe said that the problems are being caused by diverse interpretations of the Children's Act and delays in acquiring birth certificates.

"These delays and problems need to be resolved urgently. Placement of children awaiting foster care should not take up to three years due to red tape, inefficiencies and confusion over sections of the Children's Act. It has also been revealed that 9229 children were placed in foster care in 2008/9 while only 1468 children in 2009/10. This indicates that there are serious problems in the department and whilst they try and aim for a March 2012 deadline for the finalisation of these cases, the children continue to suffer," said Kruger.

Statement issued by Hendrika Kruger, MPL, DA Gauteng Social Development spokesperson, March 24 2011

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