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NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
QUESTION FOR WRITTEN REPLY
PARLIAMENTARY QUESTION NO.: 285
Mrs H Lamoela (DA) to ask the Minister of Justice and Constitutional
Development:
What action has his department taken with regard to recommendation
11.4 of the SA Human Rights Commission report of 15 October 2013
on the Child Protection Register? NW338E
REPLY:-
The South African Human Rights Commissionâs report recommended in
paragraph 11.4 regarding training of all relevant Court Officials,
regarding their duties under the Childrenâs Act, 2005, to
facilitate and support the accurate, timely updating of the Child
Protection Register.
The Department requested the Justice College to develop a
comprehensive training programme for all relevant court officials,
especially the Childrenâs Court Clerks, and Registrars. During the
2013/14 financial year 127 Childrenâs Court Clerks were trained on
Sexual Offences, as well as Childrenâs Act, 2005 (Act No.38 of
2005).
The training of Magistrates falls in the mandate of the South
African Judicial Education Institute (SAJEI) and the Report by the
South African Human Rights Commission was forwarded to the head of
SAJEI in a letter, dated 7 November 2013, requesting the SAJEI to
develop the recommended programme for training and sustained
awareness of all relevant presiding officers regarding their
duties in terms of the Childrenâs Act 38 of 2005.
The South African Judicial Education Institute (SAJEI) has started
training the District Court Magistrates in respect of the
Childrenâs Act 38 of 2005, and has included it in the training
curriculum for Magistrates for the 2014/15 financial year. The
training on the Childrenâs Act is currently taking place in
Mafikeng in the North West. A copy of the program is attached as
Annexure A for the training from the 16th to the 20th of March
2014.
Regarding awareness âraising, the Department has developed several
fact-sheets and pamphlets; as well as a Frequently Asked Questions
fact sheet, which are available on the internet and Departmental
websites, to encourage and inform children, parents, and other
role players as well as relevant officials of their roles and
duties in terms of the Childrenâs Act, 2005 (Act No. 38 of 2005),
including the Child Protection Register. A few of these fact
sheets/pamphlets are attached as examples.
The pamphlets and Braille Booklets were distributed to the 9
Regional Offices for distribution to the courts and when holding
imbizoâs and / or awareness raising sessions with communities,
including children and their parents/caregivers.
APPROVED / NOT APPROVED
MR J T RADEBE, MP
MINISTER OF JUSTICE AND CONSTITUTIOAL DEVELOPMENT
DATE: