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The IFP was shocked to learn that Government is in the process of developing
draft legislation that would prevent parents from disciplining their own
children.

"Surely Government has got its priorities wrong," said Liezl van der Merwe
MP, the IFP's Spokesperson on Women, Children and People with Disabilities.
"There are critical issues Government needs to tackle, such as rampant
poverty, joblessness, crime and corruption. Surely imposing limitations on
parental authority should be the last thing on their agenda."

Van der Merwe said that the IFP would vehemently oppose such legislation.

"Government is interfering in the relationship between children and their
parents. In the same week in which President Zuma has introduced the Green
Paper on strengthening the family, we now have another arm of Government
planning to introduce legislation that will serve to destabilize the family.
It is illogical. There is a big difference between discipline and abuse,"
said van der Merwe.

"And when it comes to abuse, South Africa already has comprehensive
legislation," she added.

Van der Merwe said that the IFP was hopeful that during the process of
drafting the discussion document and consultation with all sectors, this
anti-parenting proposal will be rejected.

"Such legislation could have far reaching consequences. What if a child, not
fully understanding the implications, complains to a teacher that they got a
smack on the hand for stealing from a friend? Will that child be removed
from their parents and placed in foster care? Does Government have the
capacity, expertise or right to investigate every family's discipline
technique? Certainly not. We simply do not have enough social works or
physiologists to begin with," concluded van der Merwe.