On February 14, scores of children were removed from the care of two Môrester Children’s Homes and from the House Mea Children’s Home, all located in KwaZulu-Natal. The removals took place on the strength of untested allegations of abuse and racism. Officials of the Department of Social Development were accompanied by police. They swooped in and removed the children without a court order.
The removal of children in this manner is frightening and, reinforces their experience of instability and mistrust of older people who have the power to upend their reality. This can be a catalyst for poor mental health and can even lead to the onset of a mental disorder. The words of Judge John Murphy are poignant here.
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