lions
16 July 2007
The Department of Social Development would like to express its heartfelt
sympathy and further condemn the delay in putting down 10 lions that are said
to have killed a nine-year-old boy at the Woodborrugh Boerdery farm in Toska.
As the custodian on the rights of children and looking after the welfare of the
impoverished families, the department feels that the negligence at the farm
constituted some form of human rights violation.
The department strongly feels that the rights of the family have been
violated by the situation; as a result the department will join hand with the
Human Rights Commission in ensuring that justice prevails and proper channels
are followed. The department would further want to engage the Human Rights
Commission in the matter as soon as possible where the matter and further
intervention will be discussed. However the North West Human Rights
Commissioner (Advocate Kubashni Stone) confirmed that the Congress of South
African Trade Unions (Cosatu) has already lodged a complaint on behalf of the
family. In the meantime, the department has already provided trauma counselling
to the family and referred other family members to a psychologist for further
counselling. The group of farm workers who witnessed the incident was also
counselled.
In the mist of the shock and the manner upon which the events unfolded in
the said case, MEC for Social Development Nikiwe Mangqo expressed regret as she
said that, "In ensuring that the poor have access and representation in the
justice system, the department in conjunction with the Human Rights Commission
is in the process of identifying a non-governmental organisation (NGO) that can
assist the family in lobbying and advocating for their rights."
The department views the case just like many others that highlights the
plight of people living in farming communities. According to MEC Mangqo, "the
case can also be used to mobilise and raise awareness around the urgency needed
in addressing the socio, political and economic conditions experienced by rural
and farming communities."
Enquiries:
Simon Lesolang Mmope
Cell: 082 574 7621
Tel: 018 384 0245
E-mail: smmope@nwpg.gov.za
Issued by: Department of Social Development, North West Provincial
Government
16 July 2007
