A five-year-old girl who was born at a prison in Port Louis, Mauritius to a South African mother, has been successfully repatriated to the country by the officials from the Department of Social Development.
The mother was arrested in Mauritius while she was pregnant with the child in 2019 and is still awaiting trial.
The mother, unaware that she was one month pregnant at the time, had ingested the drugs as part of an attempt to smuggle them.
The department said when the child left the prison, all South African women jailed there stood in a guard of honour to wish her well.
“It is painful to see her go, but I know it’s for the best for her future,” said the mother, who also expressed regret for placing herself in such a difficult position.
The child, who has spent much of her young life within the prison walls, arrived safely in South Africa and has been reunited with her grandmother in the North West, who will now serve as her primary caregiver.
According to the department, the little girl was warmly received by her grandmother, and in “an emotional moment, tears flowed as the grandmother and granddaughter recognized each other instantly.”
The grandmother said her return is the best Christmas present for her and her family.
“The timing of her repatriation could not be more ideal as it ensures that she will be able to join us as a family and start school without delay,” shared the grandmother.
In preparation for the repatriation, Mauritius facilitated regular Skype calls between the child and her grandmother, a service they made to the girl and grandmother to help ease the transition.
The department said it’ll 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.
The girl is now the 25th child repatriated from another country.
