Minister Ines Pané of Social Affairs and Housing (Sozavo) announced that councils will soon be established to oversee orphanages, despite recent scandals that have come to public attention. The minister made this statement during a press conference following the Cabinet Council meeting.
Although the minister has repeatedly stated that these councils would be set up, this has yet to happen, resulting in numerous negative consequences. The councils will be responsible for conducting inspections at orphanages, including the Maria’s Hoeve Orphanage, which has been the subject of reports alleging physical and psychological abuse of children. These allegations have been widely shared on social media, particularly on Facebook.
The minister acknowledged that the complaints are well-known and emphasized that the ministry is doing everything possible to thoroughly investigate the matters. She added that the names of those involved are already known and that the necessary documents have been signed.
There is consideration to involve the Attorney General (AG) for further investigation. The minister assured the public that the government is working hard to ensure safety at all levels but noted that she is waiting for reports before taking further action.
The media’s reaction has been largely negative, particularly due to the minister’s seemingly passive stance. Despite the serious scandals and the ministry’s awareness of the situation, the orphanages in question remain operational for now. This raises concerns about when the government will adequately address these issues.
In addition to Maria’s Hoeve, other facilities, such as Huize Campagne and Huize Zout der Aarde, are also facing heavy criticism.
