Twelve children rescued from Cape Town's streets in latest operation
Social workers and law enforcement assist one of the twelve children recently removed from Cape Town’s streets, aiming to place them in safe care and reconnect them with family.
Image: Nicola Jowell/ Facebook
Twelve children living on Cape Town’s streets have been removed in the latest operation by the Department of Social Development (DSD), law enforcement, and the Sea Point City Improvement District (CID). Most are new cases, though a few have previously been assisted.
Ward Councillor Nicola Jowell said the children are now in the care of social workers, who has interviewed them, contacted families, and is trying to place them in safe environments.
“If a child cannot be placed with family, the social worker must approach the magistrate and start a court process,” she explained. “Let’s hope these 12 children are on the path to a more hopeful future.”
Street children in Cape Town have long been a concern. Activists estimate around 800 children roam the city, while the 2022 census counted 6,600 people sleeping rough. Many children are aggressive, sometimes violent, and residents have reported harassment and theft, particularly around the Atlantic Seaboard.
Last month the Cape Argus reported on Jacques Weber, Chairman of the Sea Point CID 's plight, who wrote to authorities such as DSD.
He said residents were living in fear and that the street children had become aggressive and called it an issue of public safety, economic impact and community well-being.
Some of the twelve children recently taken off Cape Town’s streets sit around a table, speaking with law enforcement and social workers as part of efforts to assess their needs and plan safe placements.
Image: Nicola Jowell/ Facebook
Earlier interventions between April 2024 and September 2025 saw 58 children removed from the streets in Sea Point, but the shortage of social workers means many return shortly after being taken off the streets. Activists have called for dedicated facilities for children under 18 struggling with substance abuse, noting that current rehabilitation centres only accept those older than 18.
DSD MEC, Jaco Londt said social workers had a large case load and a workshop was to be hosted in coming weeks on the Children's Act, where stakeholders like the CID, could give their insight.
Authorities stress that children can only be removed when at risk or involved in criminal activity. Western Cape Police Oversight MEC Anroux Marais and City officials emphasise that the DSD holds statutory responsibility for children in need of care and protection.
The DSD told the Cape Argus that it has allocated a social worker to respond to reports of street children in the area – this is in addition to their normal duties and caseload. The social worker is available to work with the police, law enforcement, ward councillors, and the CID.
“Over 50 children have been removed from the streets of Sea Point by the department in the past year but many return to the area. Most of the children are from homes in Kraaifontein, and efforts to build trust and do the necessary interventions with the children and families take time and are ongoing,” said DSD spokesperson Esther Lewis.
“If at risk children are involved in criminal activity then members of the public should report these incidents to the SAPS.
The DSD encouraged the public to report cases of children at risk by calling the DSD toll-free number 0800 220 250, or to report criminal acts to the SAPS.
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Cape Argus