However, an additional concern that has been raised by local police is that during these times there are high numbers of children who are getting lost in the area.
Police says these children are normally between the ages of two and seven, boys or girls.
“We are very concerned as the police of KwaThema as we are finding a lot of missing children either on our streets, while others are being reported at the station.
“With some who are reported as lost, they normally return home on their own but others are later found on the streets by their parents.
“Others end up sitting at the police station for hours as we are unable to trace their parents or where the children are from,” says KwaThema’s W/O David Mphali.
He adds that since there is normally no way of identifying these children, they keep these children at the station, which is not a good environment for them, or end up having to find a place of safety for them.
“We are pleading with parents to take care of their children at all times.
“If you will not be around when your child gets back from school, please ensure that there is someone available to look after them.
“If parents fail to ensure that their children are kept safe, they will be arrested for negligence,” he says.
The police are encouraging parents to place identification bracelets or chains on their children with the child’s information and parents’ details. This will make it easier to take the children home should police or a community member find them roaming around.
“We also plead with school staff to let children wear these items of identification so that they can help us and the children, because when they put them in their school bags, they don’t carry the bags when they go and play.
“Parents should also remember what their children are wearing and where they are at all times,” he says.
