The Ministry of Gender Equality and Child Welfare is facilitating a formal kinship care arrangement for the twin babies who survived an attempted drowning incident at Omutundungu village in the Omusati region last Sunday.
In a statement issued on Saturday, the ministry says a family member has stepped forward to assume full responsibility for the babies (9 months) to ensure long-term stability.
“The ministry expresses its gratitude and highest commendation to Cornelius Shimwaafeni, who selflessly risked his life jumping into the water to rescue the babies from drowning. His extraordinary bravery prevented a severe tragedy,” the statement reads.
The ministry says the twins are currently temporarily in the care of their father and grandmother, while it conducts a statutory investigation into the case.
It cautions against resorting to desperate or criminal actions during childcare crises, reminding parents that the Child Care and Protection Act provides legal avenues for safe child abandonment when caregivers are unable to provide it.
It explains that for safe abandonment to be lawful, a child must be left in the physical presence of a responsible person at an approved safe location like a police station, fire station, hospital, school, place of safety or a children’s home, and the child must not have suffered any harm or abuse.
“These conditions are essential to ensure that the child’s immediate safety and well-being are protected. We appeal to communities to act as support structures and direct individuals in crisis to appropriate authorities than allowing situations to escalate to endangerment,” it says.
For immediate professional counselling, family support or to report a child welfare concern, the ministry advises the public to reach out to Lifeline/Childline on 116 or 106, or the police at 10111.
The twins were rescued by Shimwaafeni (16) who says he cannot swim.
He is said to have saved two other children last year after they fell in a well while herding animals.
