The minster of social development, ‘Matebatso Doti, has committed to propose to the minister of foreign affairs to deploy social workers in Lesotho Consulates across South Africa, to enable the system to fast track similar cases in collaboration with the South African government.
Doti said this on Monday when she received a now 10 months old baby who was abducted by a South African woman from her biological mother when she was only three months old.
The woman was eventually traced to Welkom and, according to the office of the Free State Premier, she is now in police custody.
The child had been in a place of safety in Welkom, and the Free State department of social development, worked with the Lesotho Consular in Welkom, for the reunification of the baby with her biological parents who are both Lesotho nationals.
The Acting Premier of the Free State, Mamiki Qabathe, handed the baby over to her biological parents in Maseru.
“I wish to thank the government of Lesotho, which worked together with our government, in ensuring that the child is brought back to her parents safe and sound”, Qabathe said.
The family will through the Lesotho ministry of social development, receive counselling, while the child will be assisted to obtain the necessary trauma support and care.
