Every parent should take responsibility for their children's upbringing. Parents should ensure that they register children after birth. Gauteng Department of Social Development West Rand Region's Social Worker,
Hitekani Mabasa, said this after they had to place a child who was abandoned by a mother at Child and Youth Care Centre.
"It is alleged that the father of a 2-years-old boy impregnated his wife's niece, who are both Zimbabwean nationals. His wife received the story from her niece while they had a quarrel. The niece told her that she was impregnated by her husband. It is alleged the wife immediately chased away both the niece and husband from where they were staying in March 2020 before lockdown. The father left with a toddler and took it to a certain lady in Krugersdorp to look after. 
In August the lady came to the department and reported that she is unable to take care of the child while father was living on the streets. We removed the child and placed him under the care of a Foster Parent in Munsieville after department secured a court order", Mabasa explains.
"An investigation was conducted where I went Leratong Hospital to gather information about the birth of the child. It was confirmed that child was born at Leratong but registration of birth was not done since the child is not a South African and whereabouts of the mother were unknown. Last week, the child was removed from the foster parent to Bethany House Trust Child and Youth Care Centre in Krugersdorp. The father came to the department asking for the child to be placed under the care of his brother who lives in Tembisa with his wife.
They are willing to take care of the child and will assess if they are capable", she added
The South African Government has the best interests of children. This is evident in the child protection mechanisms such as domestic legislation and international instruments that the country has ratified as a commitment to the protection of children's rights.
The children's Act 38 of 2005 highlights children's rights and some of them include the following: the right to a name and nationality from birth, family care or parental care, basic nutrition, shelter, basic health care services and social services and a right to good quality education.
Those rights are found in section 28 in the Bill of Rights in the Constitution of South Africa. Gauteng Department of Social Development will continue with child support, care and protection.