In April, we reported that a South African social worker was caught selling babies. Now a former owner of a children’s shelter has been charged with “several counts of child trafficking and fraud.”
Hester Elizabeth van Schalkwyk “60, was arrested in February this year for allegedly carrying out an illegal adoption at her shelter, the Survivors Children’s Sanctuary.
In court yesterday, prosecutor Val Melis said 30 additional counts would be added to the charge sheet.
“These charges include 17 counts of contravening several sections of the Children’s Act, child trafficking, attempted child trafficking and six counts of fraud.”
Melis also said the State had discovered that Van Schalkwyk had misled the court during her bail application in March, when she said she had only two previous convictions.
“We have found through a search on the police system that she has six previous convictions. At this stage we are not taking any further action. But we do intend charging her with failing to disclose her previous convictions to the court,” said Melis. “
“Van Schalkwyk had previously said she had one previous conviction of facilitating an illegal adoption and another of fraud.”
(Again) Only News Media Investigations Prompts Legal Action
“Despite reports of the home being shut down in 2008 by child welfare authorities,
she allegedly continued running an unregistered establishment for abandoned or orphaned children. 
In the Carte Blanche programmes, couples claimed that Van Schalkwyk had promised them children to adopt from the home but said they did not have to speak to social workers.
The couples also alleged that two children were promised to several families, but the children’s mother had not consented to the adoption.
After her arrest, the children’s home was shut down by the provincial social welfare department and the children were placed in the care of a non-profit organisation, Just 4 Us Children.
The case was adjourned to July 28 and Van Schalkwyk was ordered to stay away from State witnesses and children who had lived at the shelter.
She is out on bail of R5 000.”
Baby broker appears in court
[IOL News 6/1/11 by Kamini Padayachee]
Update: “Durban North children’s shelter owner Hester Elizabeth van Schalkwyk will face trial later this year on allegations that she ran the home illegally and facilitated illegal adoptions.
It is also likely that she will face further charges of fraud for misrepresenting to prospective adoptive parents that she was legally entitled to do adoptions.
The 60-year-old former owner of Survivors Sanctuary made another brief appearance in the Durban Magistrate’s Court on Friday.
Prosecutor Val Melis advised that by agreement with defence advocate Paul Jorgensen, the case was being adjourned until March, when Van Schalkwyk would be given the detailed charge and statements. A trial date would then be set for the regional court. At a previous court appearance, Melis said the charges would include 17 counts of contravening several sections of the Children’s Act, child trafficking, attempted child trafficking and six counts of fraud.
Van Schalkwyk was arrested after an investigation by M-Net current affairs show Carte Blanche. After her arrest, the children’s home was shut down by the provincial social welfare department and the children were placed in the care of a non-profit organisation. Van Schalkwyk is out on bail of R5 000.”
Children’s shelter owner to face trial
[IOL 1/23/12 by Tania Broughton]
REFORM Puzzle Piece
It is amazing that she was able to continue in the same kind of operation after being convicted 6 times in fraud and illegal adoptions.
Recent Comments