Hon Chair, thank you for the follow-up question. I wasn't sure of the context in which the hon member states the role of communities in rehabilitation because I thought that was the responsibility of Correctional Services.
But, be that as it may, on the second part of his follow-up question, which relates to the resistance to absorbing ex-offenders in the employment environment and to offering them employment opportunities, we continue from our side to advocate the employment of these offenders.
We acknowledge that, in fact, in some instances, there are specific laws that restrict the employability of ex-offenders, especially those who would not have had their criminal records expunged yet.
I can say, for example, by way of illustration, that having served on the Magistrates Commission, where we consider applications for appointment as magistrates, we look objectively at the nature of the offence, and whether it impacts on the applicant's suitability, in other words, whether that applicant is a fit and proper person to appoint.
There have been instances where people have committed minor offences in the past and have volunteered information in that regard by disclosing such offences so that we've been willing to actually recommend their appointment and, in fact, they have been appointed.
So, the mere fact that a person has committed an offence in his or her life is not in and of itself a permanent ban on that person to obtain employment in life. We want to encourage employers not to deny them the opportunity to participate in gainful employment purely on the basis that a person has committed an offence. Thank you.
Government's intentions regarding support to people of Palestine
24. Mr M A Mncwango (IFP) asked the Minister of International Relations and Co-operation:
Whether the Government intends to support the people of Palestine by any means to force the Israelis to free them and does it include supplying the people of Palestine with (a) weapons and (b) funds; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details? NO427E