Social Development hosts restorative justice intervention with parents and children in gangs in De Aar, 13 Jun

Social Development to host a restorative justice intervention with parents and children in gangs in De Aar

The Pixley Ka Seme and ZF Mgcawu district municipalities were identified as gangsterism hotspots in the Northern Cape. These two districts were identified to have high prevalence of gangsterism after collaborative work between the department of social development and other stakeholders that reported high incidents of gangs amongst learners at the Sunrise township in De Aar. 
In addition, evidence showed a high number of referrals to the Emthanjeni Department of Social Development service point. The children are found to be  in groups of gangs with the intention to commit violence while they are in school  and in  the care of their parents. In their groupings, the children act violently towards each other, carry and use weapons to hurt others, and claiming that they are defending themselves.
 
Based on this evidence, the Department of Social Development is planning a restorative justice intervention between parents and children who are in gangs. Probation officers have started preparing children and their parents in what is called family group conferencing. 
 
The Department of Social Development as the custodian of children, introduced the Anti-Gangsterism Strategy to assist children, youth, and families to realise the dangers associated with gangsterism. 
The strategy complements what is expected by the South African Police Service National Strategy for every department to contribute towards the  prevention of crime in line with their respective mandates. The Department of Social Development is entrusted by the Constitution and the Children’s Act, to promote the welfare, protection  and care of children.
 
Gangsterism is amongst one of the common ways applied by children to organise themselves for gang related activities, including, amongst others, robbery, hijacking, bullying and overall violent behavioural patterns.  
 
Members of the media are invited to attend and cover the restorative justice intervention with children and parents planned as follows:
 
Date: Tuesday, 13 June 2023
Time: 08h00 – 15h00
Venue: De Aar Community Hall, Northern Cape Province
 
Media can RSVP by contacting Ms Nomfundo Lentsoane on 0664806845 / NomfundoLe@dsd.gov.za or Mr Jaconia Kobue on 0632495120 / Mr Jaconia Kobue JaconiaK@dsd.gov.za  
 
Media enquiries may be forwarded to:
Ms Lumka Oliphant
Cell: 083 484 8067
Email: lumkao@dsd.gov.za