The Portfolio Committee on Social Development has welcomed presentation by a Member of Parliament, Mr Mike Walters, regarding his proposed amendments to the Children’s Act (Act No. 38 of 2005).
“The presentation was informative and highlighted interesting aspects that could strengthen the protection of children. We are happy that it came at the time when the Committee was working on the Children’s Amendment Bill and Children’s Second Amendment Bill which were tabled to Parliament by the Department of Social Development (DSD),” said Ms Zoleka Capa, Committee Chairperson.
Mr Walters said the key objective of the Bill was to amend section 120(4) and (5) of the Act so as to provide that a person, other than a child, convicted of any offence in terms of the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences and Matters) Amendment Act of 2007, against a child to be deemed to be unsuitable to work with children.
However, Ms Capa stated that the Committee was not in a position to say whether or not it accepted the proposed amendments and said the Members needed enough time to study them in conjunction with the other amendments contained in the two Bills tabled by the department.
“Although we welcome the presentation, the Committee is still required to follow due processes of formulating a legislation including analysing new amendments clause by clause as well as soliciting inputs from members of the public and interested groups through public hearings,” said Ms Capa.
The Committee will hold four public hearings on the Children’s Amendment Bill and Children’s Second Amendment Bill as follows: 2, 4, 23 and 25 September 2015.
Enquiries:
Justice Molafo
Tel: 021 403 8444
Cell: 081 424 7481
E-mail: jmolafo@parliament.gov.za
