SCORES of worried pupils from various schools in Tshimbupfe Village, Limpopo, have voiced their concerns over increasing child trafficking rates.
On Friday, 19 April, thousands of pupils gathered for a problem-solving and educational session on child trafficking at the Isa Mathivha Foundation offices.
The event was organised by the Isa Mathivha Foundation and saw the participation of parents, Tshimbupfe's traditional leaders, representatives from the Department of Education, and the Vuwani Police Station.
The gathering was in response to six recent incidents of attempted child trafficking, which left pupils and the community scared.
This has led to pupils missing classes to present a memorandum of grievances to traditional leaders and the police.
Patricia Makumbane, a parent, shared with Daily Sun her deep concerns for the safety of the children.
"Since the start of the academic year, there have been reports of children taken by unknown individuals. Thankfully, they managed to escape, but the situation has left us living in fear," Patricia said.
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Pupils have called for the installation of boom gates at all community entry and exit points. Parents were asked to pay a small monthly fee for their maintenance.
They also want all vehicles entering and leaving the village to be checked and Community Policing Forums to be more visible.
Pastor Tshinavhe Mulaudzi urged parents to pray for their children's safety.
Ntsieni Netshimbupfe, a traditional leader, acknowledged the growing problem of child trafficking in their communities, disrupting peace and called for collaboration with the police.
Pfarelo Mathivha director and social worker at Isa Mathivha Foundation said: "Child trafficking is a threat we can't ignore. It's essential for the entire community to unite and strengthen our security measures."
Last month, spokesman for the Vhembe police Sergeant Vuledzani Dathi reported the escape of a 13-year-old boy from Ha-Mutsha Codesa from a kidnapping.
