Fifty percent of the 9 000 to 13 000 children who are arrested by the SAPS on a monthly basis are released into their parents' or guardians' care within 48 hours. Of the remaining children in the criminal justice system, between 3 000 and 5 500 children go through the courts on a monthly basis. Approximately 1 900 children are diverted from the mainstream criminal justice system on a monthly basis.
Of the children who await trial and appear in court - usually for violent crimes - approximately 1 000 children between the ages of 14 and 17 await trial on a monthly basis in correctional facilities.
Approximately 3 000 children await trial in detention in secure-care facilities, places of safety and home-based supervision. Of the numbers of children originally arrested and charged, approximately 1% is sentenced to direct imprisonment, while approximately 20% are sentenced to noncustodial sanctions. Currently, there are 31 secure-care facilities across the country with a capacity to house 2 180 children. Even though legislation has been put in place and the programmes are running fairly well, we would be nave to say that we have no challenges. Currently, there is a shortage of probation officers, and there is inadequate use of secure-care facilities within the criminal justice system, resulting in children awaiting trial in correctional facilities and police cells. This, I must add, is an unfavourable situation.
Needless to say, when addressing families and social crime prevention, strategic partnerships need to be forged. These partnerships are usually with the SAPS, the Department of Education and the Department of Health. Another strategic partner is our nonprofit organisations' sector. These NPOs assist government in delivering much-needed services to our communities.
November 2008 saw the Prevention of and Treatment for Substance Abuse Bill being passed by Parliament. The old Drug Dependency Act became outdated as it focused mainly on institutional treatment with little provision for prevention, community-based and outpatient treatment. The proposed legislation promotes more community-based services, with greater emphasis on preventative services. It will also be more sensitive to the needs of children.
Besides all other drugs used, alcohol and dagga remain the most commonly abused substances. Needless to say, most of the crimes that are committed are carried out while the perpetrators are under the influence of these drugs.
Currently, there are five public treatment centres that are registered, and there are 43 private centres. We must also note that we face the challenge of Limpopo not having even one centre, whether private or public.
Prevention programmes are being run, for instance the Ke Moja programme which has already been alluded to. Hon members, I am sure that you would agree that in order to address the scourge of substance abuse, much more still needs to be done. This should be one of the key priorities, as substance abuse is responsible for much of the crime and violence against women and children, as well as those who are vulnerable.
Hon members - and I wish to highlight this to the hon Kopane - if we wish to build the moral fibre of society as a whole, all of us need to play a role. We need to be responsible. I think that if you are aware that people are misusing grants, as was alluded to earlier, you need to become a whistle-blower. And you need to encourage communities in that we all have a responsibility to build this South Africa. Surely, Chairperson, we cannot make this the responsibility of government alone. I thank you, Chairperson. [Applause.]