The Department of Home Affairs, in partnership with other departments, will soon develop an inter-departmental protocol on the protection of children against child pornography. This decision was taken at yesterday's meeting of Deputy Ministers of Basic Education, Mr Envy Surty and Social Development, Ms Bathabile Dlamini, convened by the Deputy Minister of Home Affairs, Mr Malusi Gigaba, in which they received a briefing from the Film and Publication Board on the campaign against child pornography.
The Deputy Minister of Home Affairs, Mr Malusi Gigaba, said, "The lack of statistics about child pornography should not lead us to being complacent in protecting children. The increase of access to technology and mobile internet, with all its benefits, also poses risks such as creation and distribution of child pornography. We need to be proactive in protecting children against this heinous crime."
The inter-departmental protocol will be aimed at focusing on advocacy and law enforcement on issues relating to child pornography. It will bring together various stakeholder departments including basic education, social development, justice and constitutional development, police, communications and the National Prosecuting Authority, defining roles each has to play in raising awareness on child pornography and in law enforcement.
The Deputy Minister of Home Affairs, Mr Malusi Gigaba, went further to suggest that, "South Africa should explore an outright ban on pornography in the public media as is the practice in countries such as China and India." To this extent, the Deputy Minister will approach the Law Reform Commission with a view to requesting them to investigate and advice on the possibility of such a move. The inter-departmental protocol will go a long way to co-ordinate the protection of children during the 2010 World Cup and beyond.
For more information contact:
Mr Ronnie Mamoepa
Cell: 082 990 4853
Thabo Mokgola
Media Relations
Tel: 012 810 7242
Fax: 012 810 7032
Cell: 082 902 8414
E-mail: thabo.mokgola@dha.gov.za
Issued by: Department of Home Affairs
1 September 2009
