Johannesburg – Little Princess – the five-year-old girl born in a prison in Mauritius where her South African mother is being held for drug trafficking – has landed at OR Tambo International Airport.
The child, who has spent much of her young life within the prison walls was accompanied by department officials, arrived safely in South Africa, and has been reunited with her grandmother, who will now serve as her primary caregiver.
The girl, whose mother has been incarcerated since 2019, met the rest of her family for the first time when she landed on Friday, (13 December 2024).
Upon arrival, the little girl was warmly received by her grandmother, alongside social workers from the department.
In an emotional moment, tears flowed as the grandmother and granddaughter recognised each other instantly.
The department revealed that in preparation for the repatriation, authorities in Mauritius facilitated regular Skype calls between the child and her grandmother, a service they made to help ease the transition.
Joyful hugs and heartfelt expressions of love cemented the reunion.
The first time meeting was courtesy of the Department of Social Development, which successfully repatriated the 5-year-old girl.
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Lamenting events leading to the child being separated from her mother, a department official said: “The mother, unaware that she was one month pregnant at the time, had ingested the drugs as part of an attempt to smuggle them”.
She was arrested by law enforcement agents in Mauritius and has been held since pending her trial.
Reflecting on the success of the mission, Bathembu Futshane, the department’s Acting Chief Director of Communications, said: “I feel a deep sense of pride and gratitude for being part of such a transformative and meaningful story.
“This achievement underscores the importance of our ongoing efforts to improve the lives of children.”
Precious Mupenzi, Deputy Director: Internal Communications, also shared her thoughts on the mission: “This experience was an invaluable learning opportunity, highlighting South Africa’s commitment to upholding children’s rights.
“One key takeaway is the importance of prioritizing children in all circumstances to ensure a brighter future.
“I was also struck by the power of women supporting each other, even in the most challenging situations.
“The solidarity shown by the female prison community in Mauritius toward the mother and her daughter was a powerful reminder of what women can achieve together.”
The Department will now ensure the child receives comprehensive child protection services to support her successful integration into her new environment.
The department is mandated by the Children’s Act to repatriate South African children distressed in foreign countries.
South Africa is mandated by Section 7 of the Children’s Act 38 of 2005 to protect the best interests of the child.
Section 7(1)(f)(ii) of the Act mandates that the Department ensures that a child “maintains a connection with his or her extended family, culture or tradition”
