200 children removed from KZN centres following abuse allegations
The provincial Social Development Department has confirmed that nearly 200 children have been removed from three homes over allegations of abuse and racism.
The Department's Ncumisa Ndelu says a preliminary investigation showed that both children and members of staff were being racially abused at Morester Child and Youth Care Centre in Ladysmith.
Authorities have also taken taken the decision to remove children from two other branches of the youth centre in Newcastle.
Ndelu says the department received information from a whistleblower about what was going on at the Ladysmith centre.
"They've all been placed in state facilities as well as state-funded facilities. Now, the process of investigating the allegations in detail will begin. What's going to happen is the head of department will inform the centre officially of the investigation. Also, today - the affected families will be taken to where their children are," Ndelu said.
Ndelu has dismissed reports that some of the children have since run away from their new places of safety.
NOW READ: Durban community rallies around local children's home
"During removals, not one child ran anywhere. All the children are accounted for. The last roll call accounted for everyone of those children."
Missed the latest Newswatch? Find more on this and other developing stories below.
