Without a birth certificate, Pretty Mangwane, a seven-year-old girl from Jumpers informal settlement, is unable to go to school.
Mangwane’s mother, Khungeka, left her with her father in 2010 after she allegedly went gambling – and never returned home.
“We tried looking for her but did not succeed. Pretty’s father, Sydney Mthombeni, went to Cleveland Police Station to open a case of a missing person. When he arrived, he was told that they [police] can’t help him. He [was only allowed to] write an affidavit explaining what happened,” said a resident, Elisabeth Noosi, who took Mangwane in and raised her as her own child.
Read: Music unites people
Noosi said they are not sure if the mother of the seven-year-old is still alive or has passed away. She added that residents feel Cleveland police have failed Mangwane and taken her future away from her.
She added that she felt that Mthombeni would not be able to raise Pretty properly, as girls need their mother, so she asked him if she could raise the little girl.
Read: NPO in dire need of help
“I have been taking care of her since 2010 up to this age. She does not receive grant money as she does not have a birth certificate. I don’t work at the moment, but whatever I get I am able to support the girl and myself,” said Noosi.
Noosi said she tried enrolling her into Grade 1 numerous times, but failed due to not having a birth certificate. “I asked her father to go to home affairs and get her a birth certificate. Home affairs kept sending him up and down. Due to financial problems, he ended up not going back.”
Read: Lifeline courses to help others
Nompilo Zozo, a community leader at the settlement, said it did not sit well with her seeing Mangwane walking around while her peers were at preschool. “I went to Cotlands and explained her situation. They understood the problem and registered Pretty, but after she graduated from Cotlands it became a problem as they needed a birth certificate at primary schools,” said Zozo.
Zozo said she then informed Ward 118 councillor Neuren Pietersen about the situation.
“Pietersen assured me that he will organise social workers to come and assist,” she said.
Pietersen said Zozo brought the situation to his attention and he has met with Pretty. “I asked a social worker to investigate and help her get her into the available social programmes,” said Pietersen.
Meanwhile Cleveland Police Station spokesperson, Captain Johan Jordaan said he is not in a position to comment on matters that occurred in 2010.
“If he is not satisfied he can lay a complainant against the police. He must write a letter to the station commander. Then it must be investigated. I cannot comment on the matter,” said Jordaan.
Anyone willing to assist the family with any donation can contact Nompilo Zozo.
Details: 079 634 7723.
Add us on Whatsapp for the latest news by adding 079 4395 345 to your contact list and just send your name to us so we can save your number. Click here to find out more about our Whatsapp policy.
