Date: 25/06/2006
Source: Ministry of Safety and Security
Title: Shabangu: Launch of Youth against Crime campaign


  Address by Deputy Minister of Safety and Security, Ms Susan Shabangu, at the launch of Youth against Crime campaign

Programme Director,
MEC for Safety and Liaison, Ms T Madikane,
Divisional Commissioner, Lamoer,
Commissioner Makhubela,
Provincial Commissioner, Zukie Mbombo,
Representatives from Eastern Cape,
Representatives from Free State,
Junior President of Youth Against Crime,
Government officials,
Ladies and gentlemen;

We are here today to launch the Youth Against Crime campaign and tap into the issue of restorative justice. This two-day campaign began yesterday with debates that looked into topics such as whether parents are responsible for the actions of their children. Also, how much contribution parent’s behaviour has on their children.

Another topic looked at the justice system should the death penalty be brought back or not.

The debate panellists included police officers, members of the Community Policing Forum (CPF), members of the judiciary, a community prosecutor and an advocate and lastly, young people like yourselves. As you might be aware different opinions were brought into the table with some young people arguing that parents need to be there for their children. Others felt parents can do so much and young people need to contribute their part as well in their upbringing.

However, the main thing issue here is about defining what it means to be a family. Does a family end with a mother, father and their children or does it include neighbours and other members of the community. Only then we could be able to interpret some of the problems we are facing today, especially with our young people. This would help us understand why a man would rape a four-year-old girl. What is it that he sees when he looks at that child. Is that a normal person and why is this person so angry and bitter.

You see today’s programme is about ensuring that it’s all our responsibility to fight crime and in order to win, we need to join hands in our struggle. We need to look at the reasons why a man would rape a little girl instead of being a parent to that child. We could punish and punish but there’s no progress in rehabilitating these people.

I noticed that the issue of the medium of communication was not looked at satisfactorily during the debates. Yet this is one critical part in our business of fighting crime. Some of our young people have a tendency to portray the violent things they copy from our televisions. Our young people need to be vocal against shebeens situated closer to their schools. Shebeen owners need to stop allowing these children in their institutions.

The issue of restorative justice needs to be talked about all the time. Our communities need to take charge of their lives and find a way of embracing those who have been in jails instead of rejecting them. Let’s make sure they do not go back to prison because they feel their communities cannot accept them.

Thank you!

Issued by: Ministry of Safety and Security
24 June 2006