Child Care Act, 1983 (Act No. 74 of 1983)Chapter 3 : Protection of Children12. Removal of child to place of safety pending inquiry |
| 1) | Any policeman, social worker or authorized officer may remove a child from any place to a place of safety without a warrant if that policeman, social worker or authorised officer has reason to believe that the child is a child referred to in section 14(4) and that the delay in obtaining a warrant will be prejudicial to the safety and welfare of that child. |
| 2) | The policeman, social worker or authorized officer who has so removed a child shall as soon thereafter as may be - |
| a) | inform the parent or guardian of the said child or person in whose lawful custody the child is of his removal if such parent, guardian or person is known to be in the district from where the child was removed and can be traced without undue delay; |
| b) | inform a children's court assistant concerned of the reasons for the child’s removal; and |
| c) | bring the child or cause him to be brought before the children’s court of the district in which is situate the place from where the child was removed. |
| 3) | Any person who hinders or obstructs any policeman, social worker or authorised officer in the exercise of his powers under subsection (1) shall be guilty of an offence. |