Child born in Senegalese prison brought back to SA

Babies are born in all types of places, all over the world. The most famous baby of all time was born in a manger in Bethlehem.

Now a baby born in a Senegalese prison will finally be reunited with her mother’s South African family.

On 10 March, social workers of the department of social development arrived at OR Tambo International Airport with a baby repatriated from a Dakar prison in Senegal.

She was born to a mother who is serving time in a Dakar prison.

“The toddler was born in Senegal and has been in the care of the mother who was arrested last year in that country for drug trafficking.

“The department was notified by the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) through its International Social Services (ISS) Directorate in August 2023, that the biological mother of the child was arrested last year February. It is reported that within days of her incarceration, she gave birth to the child.”

Read more | An ex-cop reveals how he was caught stealing drugs from the airport

Eastern Cape authorities have confirmed to Drum that the child will be taken to meet the grandparents for the first time.

With prison not being a conducive place to raise a child, the stakeholders have been in talks to arrange for the child to be brought to South Africa.

“The government of South Africa through DIRCO initiated the process of repatriating the child by first visiting the mother to ascertain her wishes about her child. The mother nominated the grandmother of the child as the guardian in the country while she serves her sentence in Senegal."

“The national department of social development then requested the Eastern Cape department of social development to investigate the circumstances of the nominated foster parent to assess suitability to care for the child."

“The child will be integrated with the mother's family in the Eastern Cape and the department will continue providing child protection services and provide support to the family.”

Social development minister, Lindiwe Zulu says the children’s wellbeing is always a top priority.

“The department will always put the best interest of the child first; however, we remain concerned about the issue of drugs and what it can do to children. 

Read more | ‘My husband dragged me into a sex trafficking ring’ – victims reveal truth behind human trafficking

“This was an unborn baby who ended up in distress in a foreign country because the mother was arrested for trafficking drugs. We cannot stress more the importance of young people to make the right decisions about their lives (sic).” 

Since 2015, the department has repatriated 21 children who were distressed in foreign countries. 

“The department is obligated by Section 7, subsection (1), (f), (ii), of the Children’s Act 38 of 2005 that a child needs to maintain a connection with their family, extended family, culture, or tradition and all decisions must be made in the best interest of the child.”