prisons
2 May 2007
The North West provincial government is determined to address the challenge
of overcrowding of juveniles in prisons.
This follows the handover of the R20,9 million Matlosana Secure Care Centre
by Public Works MEC Howard Yawa last Thursday, as part of the province's
efforts to address the challenge.
The centre is the first of three in the province, with the other two in
Mafikeng and Rustenburg still under construction.
Secure Care centres are facilities for young people under the age of 18 who
are in conflict with the law in accordance with the Criminal Procedure Act 51
of 1977 whilst they await trial.
Prior to the introduction of such centres, young people who were awaiting
trial used to be detained either in police cells or prisons with adults. This
exposed them to abuse and or negative influence by hardened criminals.
Speaking during the handover and opening ceremony, MEC Yawa said government
was of the view that social exclusion of the youth from the labour market
coupled with youth poverty, substance abuse, crime and violence all pointed to
the need to improve the socio-economic conditions of young people in
society.
"Although these problems are varied and complex, we also appreciate that
these challenges are not unique to South Africa but are also experienced by
many other developing countries," the MEC said.
He added that youth participation in community service and volunteerism,
which is reflected in South Africa's own National Youth Service Programme, had
become one of the promising initiatives that had emerged globally in a bid to
tackle such challenges.
In that regard, the MEC further called upon young people to stay away from
criminal activities and to rather invest their time in activities that would
advance their country.
"We call on you as young people to contribute to the further advancement of
your country. Community service and volunteerism are effective mechanisms
through which you can acquire skills, prepare for active citizenship through
civic engagement and a commitment to nation building," he explained.
The Matlosana Secure Care Centre has the maximum capacity to accommodate 60
young people. It consists of a mini court, mini police station, juvenile court,
Social Worker Department, in-house clinic, in-house kitchen, cafeteria,
woodwork, steelwork, electrical workshops and recreational facilities.
The "one stop centre" also consists of an administration block made up of
offices, a conference hall, courtyard, security rooms, storerooms and strong
rooms, among others.
Meanwhile, the construction of the facility saw about 250 people and two sub
contractors getting employment throughout the 11 months of the construction
period. About 111 local young people benefited from all these job
opportunities.
Enquiries:
Lesiba Moses Kgwele
Tel: 018 387 2447
Cell: 083 629 1987
E-mail: LKgwele@nwpg.gov.za
Issued by: Department of Public Works, North West Provincial
Government
2 May 2007
