Members of Justice and Crime Prevention Security Cluster (JCPS) and the Naledi Local Municipality embarked on a child protection campaign at the Hududi Gymnasium Hall in Vryburg on 28 July 2008.
The campaign, with the theme “Care and protect our children”, aimed to educate the community about the negative effects of crime. The Vryburg youth was targeted because it was identified that children in the area are increasingly becoming victims of crime.
Regional Head, Tsietsi Malema urged the community not to do criminal activities and report crime to the police. “The main causes of crime are child neglect, abuse, unemployment, alcohol, drug abuse and gansterism,” the Regional Head explained. He also mentioned that children are used by adults to commit crime. “We urge communities to be vigilant. This will be in the best interest of children.”
Naledi Local Municipality Mayor, Dr Ruth Mompati pleaded with the youth to respect their parents. “If you respect your parents and your teachers, there is no way you will be involved in criminal activities” she explained. The Mayor encouraged parents to monitor their children and report any psychological changes. “Please report any changes that you observe to the police or social workers.”
Mr Livingstone Moshoeshoe who is on parole after serving six years imprisonment, discouraged learners from engaging in criminal activities. “I have wasted six years of my life in prison. If you have been engaging in criminal activities, please stop it now. Crime does not pay.”
Tebogo Monnaotsile a learner from Pule Leeuw Secondary School thanked the Department of Justice for arranging the event. He mentioned that peer pressure is one of the factors persuading youth to commit crime. “Some of us are from disadvantaged families. We end up resorting to other means of getting money.” He encouraged his peers to stop drinking alcohol and concentrate on their school work.
Enquiries:
Mr Isaac Mokaila
Tel: 018 389 8355
Cell: 073 742 3906
Issued by: Department of Justice and Constitutional Development
29 July 2009
