Courts should not grant bail to people charged with rape and murder of children as these suspects often go out and commit more crimes, Minister for Women, Children and People with Disabilities, Lulu Xingwana said today.
Minister Xingwana was responding to questions by children at the launch of the Child Protection Week at Abraham Kriel Childcare Centre in Langlaagte in Johannesburg today. Minister Xingwana said one of the greatest challenges facing South Africa currently was the scourge of violence against children and “the people responsible for these crimes should face the full might of the law”.
“We have too many children being attacked, raped and killed. The annual South African Police Service (SAPS) crime statistics indicate increases in cases of attempted murder, murder and sexual offences against children between 2008/09 and 2009/10 financial years.
“Attempted murder against children increased from 782 to 1 113 and murder from 843 to 965. Most of the crimes have been committed against children between ages of 15 to17 years but we are equally concerned that children between 0-10 years are also affected by these crimes,” said Minister Xingwana.
She said the extent of violence against children requires that the country takes extra measures to address this scourge in the same way as we dealt with HIV and AIDS.
“Acknowledging the magnitude and complexity of the factors driving this scourge, we are establishing an advisory council comprising of key government departments, civil society organisations and other relevant partners. This Advisory Council is going to strengthen and coordinate the implementation of 365 National Plan of Action to End Violence against Women and Children,” said Minister Xingwana.
She said many organisations are making an effort to address the problem of abuse of women and children and the Advisory Council on Violence against Women and Children will ensure that these initiatives are coordinated within a multi sectoral response to reverse the tide of violence against women and children.
The launch of the Child Protection Week was attended by various government departments and non-governmental organisations that promote child rights. Participants included Minister Xingwana, Social Development Minister Bathabile Dlamini and Correctional Services Minister Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula.
The theme for the Child Protection Week is: “Working together to protect children”
Minister Xingwana said the theme is based on the view of government that protection of children and creating a safe and secure environment is the responsibility of each and every one of us. The Child Protection Week involves a number of activities organised by various government departments, provincial governments and non-governmental organisations to increase community awareness and highlight the plight of children.
“As the Department for Women, Children and People with Disabilities, we will be in Kimberly on 4 June focusing on the challenges facing children in child-headed households. We want to ensure that these children access the various services that government has made available for children including free education, social support through child support or foster care grants and various health programmes essential for survival of children,” said Minister Xingwana.
The Child Protection Week also covers the International Children’s Day and the Day of the African Child which will be observed in KwaMhlanga, Mpumalanga on 1 June.
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