paedophile
19 October 2007
The Deputy Minister of Home Affairs, Malusi Gigaba, wishes to congratulate
the Thai police and Interpol on today's arrest of the suspected international
paedophile, Christopher Paul Neil, who is alleged to have been sexually abusing
young children in different countries and posting the images on the
internet.
Interpol has credited the arrest to the co-operation of the international
community as they had issued a request for assistance to the public for
identifying the suspect. The arrest of this suspect demonstrates the
correctness of the calls we have made in the past for our society to identify
and isolate such barbaric criminals who abuse children and who promote child
pornography by posting their inhumane photos on the internet.
We also wish to reiterate our call that parents and teachers should closely
monitor the use of the internet by children as there is always a danger that
they may be exposed to child pornography and overt violence that is on the
internet. This includes the responsibility to monitor the media content of the
children's mobile cellular phones.
These are some of the issues that the Films and Publications Bill, upon
which the National Council of Provinces (NCOP) Select Committee on Social
Services recently held public hearings, is trying to address. It is, among
others, meant to update our legislation to be in line with the changing
technology. This is part of the government's commitment to creating a caring
society.
Enquiries:
Mr Bayanda Mzoneli
Media and Parliamentary Liaison Officer
Cell: 082 715 7436
Jacky Mashapu
Acting Head of Communication
Cell: 082 8858449
E-mail: Jacky.Mashapu@dha.gov.za
Issued by: Department of Home Affairs
19 October 2007
