Speaker, it pleases me to confirm that we will indeed be reinstating the sexual offences courts.
As we speak, the DGs in the Justice, Crime Prevention and Security Cluster are developing an integrated programme to take forward the work of the task team that was established to look into the establishment of sexual offences courts, as well as the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transsexual and intersex offences courts, the family violence, child protection and sexual offences units, and any other intervention initiated by the cluster departments and the judiciary.
These courts will be established and operate in line with the revised sexual offences court model. It is envisaged that 58 courts will during the first six months of the new financial year, beginning in April, be fully functional in terms of this revised model. We shall make further announcements during the course of the year. Allow me to also take this opportunity to indicate that this will begin as from 1 April 2013 when we make these announcements.
Allow me to remind hon members as well that March is Human Rights Month. We should urge all members to carry the message that the President issued last week when he was launching the Stop Rape Campaign that is spearheaded by the Department of Basic Education and Leads SA, when he said, and I quote:
No woman or child should be beaten, raped, stabbed, shot or attacked in any manner anywhere in our country, whether by known or unknown attackers.
Section 12 of the Constitution states that:
(2) Everyone has the right to bodily and psychological integrity, which includes the right - ...
(b) to security in and control over their body;
Let's respect these rights. Thank you. [Applause.]