Reports have emerged of growing child labour practice in Mbizana, in the Eastern Cape.
According to SABC News, children as young as 10 years old are used as child labourers for illegal sand mining at Hlolweni village.
Hunger and unemployment are cited as the main reasons for this.
A 14-year-old teenager told the public broadcaster that they do what they do to put food on the table.
A local NGO has raised concern over this, calling for swift action to address the matter.
Section 28 of the South African Constitution protects children from exploitative labour practices; from work that is inappropriate for a child’s age, and work that puts the child’s education and physical, mental, spiritual, moral and social development at risk.
Despite this, however, in 2015 almost 600 000 children – mostly 16-17-year-olds – were reportedly engaged in labour in the country.
Black children were found to be more likely to be involved in the practice when compared to other population groups.