K Lekgoro: Safer Communities Seminar

21 September 2006

Programme Director,
Distinguished guests,
Delegates,
Ladies and gentlemen:

It is my honour to be part of this gathering which aims to promote the
partnerships and enhance integration of service delivery for stakeholders in
the field of substance abuse, crime prevention and victim empowerment. The
Department of Social Development strives to restore dignity of the poor and the
vulnerable people in order to build a better life for themselves and
sustainable communities. The Department has partnerships with various
non-government organisations (NGOs), community-based organisations (CBOs) and
faith-based organisations (FBOs) that deal with substance abuse, crime
prevention and victim empowerment.

Research councils and academic institutions complement the work of these
role players. This seminar is specifically relevant as a response to the
prevention of crime, substance abuse and victim empowerment.

The objectives of this seminar amongst others are:

* to promote partnerships and participation of all stakeholders at local,
provincial and national level in the fight against substance abuse, crime and
violence
* to ensure integration of services
* to enhance co-ordination and intensify efforts to reduce drug related crimes
and violence in or around the community and at home
* to share the current trends and best practice models to ensure effective and
efficient service delivery
* co-ordinate efforts by various government departments and the civil society
to empower victims of crime and violence.

Ladies and gentlemen, the strength of social welfare services focuses on
meeting the needs of and building on the strengths of individuals, families and
communities and other social groups through the provision of comprehensive
range of services and programmes that extent beyond the inherent capacity of
individuals and their natural support networks. Service delivery includes the
range of services that communities can expect to have access to, either in
their communities or elsewhere and how such services can assist beneficiaries
to reach the optimal state of social functioning and lead productive lives in
the context of healthy communities and families.

Substance abuse and crime influence all spheres of life and reaches across
social, racial, cultural and religious and gender barriers and directly or
indirectly affects everyone. The linkages of substance abuse to crime has been
established and is a major cause of poverty, reduced productivity,
unemployment, dysfunctional family life, political instability, the escalation
of chronic diseases such as HIV/AIDS.

Youth involvement in crime is a major challenge for all communities in
Gauteng. This is a challenge for all stakeholders involved in youth programmes
to intensify preventative programmes aimed at redirecting youth from
criminality, towards gainful utilisation of time. Hence service providers
acting on the guidance of policy makers are called upon to introduce and direct
interventions that are informed by best practices.

Youth involvement in crime is a challenge for all communities in Gauteng.
Government has prioritised services to this target group in an attempt to
decrease their involvement in crime.

One of the priorities of the Department of Social Development is to provide
protection, support and care to vulnerable women. The victim empowerment
programme (VEP) emanates from the National Crime Prevention Strategy (NCPS) and
the Department is the lead Department for this programme. The purpose of the
VEP is to develop, strengthen and monitor integrated victim empowerment
policies, programmes and services at all levels through strategic partnerships
within and between government and civil society. Specific emphasis is placed on
the prevention of victimisation, providing support and protection, empowerment
for victims of crime and violence with a special focus on vulnerable groups.
This programme further seeks to make the criminal justice system process more
victims friendly and minimise the negative effects of crime on victims.

It should never be forgotten that substance abuse blights individual's
lives, undermines families and damages whole communities. Substance abuse is a
unique social evil and needs special attention.

Ladies and gentlemen, the challenge of curbing substance abuse, violence and
crime requires a multi pronged effort including amongst others legal, health
and socioeconomic responses. Effort in this regard requires a concerted
approach by all spheres of government and supported by all sectors of the
society.

Prevention of crime and substance abuse is not the sole responsibility of
the Department of Social Development but cut across all sectors including NGOs
and CBOs. Firstly, the management of these social problems must be approached
from a macro perspective that focuses on prevention and early intervention
programmes as well as programmes that will change the mindset and behaviour
from an early age. Secondly, it must be managed from a multi-dimensional
perspective and the response to the problem must be integrated.

In view of the situation that is facing our young people in the country it
has become urgent for the Department of Social Development to review the
current legislation pertaining to the field of substance abuse and crime and to
broaden the scope of its applicability.

In terms of substance abuse the revised legislation will ensure that the
national and provincial departments of social development prioritise substance
abuse in their programs by allocating personnel and budgets to deal with the
scourge of substance abuse and by targeting vulnerable groups.

Early in 1997 a Juvenile Justice Project Committee was established under the
auspices of the South African Law Commission. This committee's task was to
draft a comprehensive statute which establishes a new system for children
accused of crimes. An issue paper was put out for comment in 1997, followed by
a discussion paper comprising a Draft Bill which was published in December
1998. The proposed Child Justice Bill gives effect to guarantees for children
accused of crimes as stated in the South Africa Constitution, section 28, i.e.
children are not to be detained with adults. It also makes provision for the
diversion of children into programmes provided that they are prepared to take
responsibility for what they have done. Diversion has been taking place for
almost a decade but without a legislative base/backing. The Probation Services
Act, 1991 has also been amended to insert certain definitions for example
assessment, diversion, restorative justice, to make further provision for
programmes aimed at the prevention and combating of crime, to provide for the
mandatory assessment of arrested children, to extend the powers and duties of
probation officers, to provide for the duties of assistant probation officers,
to provide for the designation of family finders and so forth in order to
provide some legislative framework in the legal processing of cases where
children are in conflict with the law.

Finally ladies and gentlemen, research is critical to assist in monitoring
trends and patterns and to inform programme development. It is regarded as an
invaluable tool for providing tested ideas and for the dissemination of
information in order to facilitate the planning and formulation of proper
intervention strategies. All these services and programs will contribute
towards a vision of creating a society free of substance abuse, crime and
violence.

Distinguished guest, ladies and gentlemen, I believe that collectively we
can make a difference. Let us unite in our efforts and work closely together to
build a South Africa that truly belongs to all who live in it and most
importantly, let us ensure a better life for all our people especially our
youth.

I thank you!

Issued by: Department of Social Development, Gauteng Provincial
Government
21 September 2006