The Portfolio Committee on Justice and Correctional Services today called for written submissions from all stakeholders and interested persons on the Child Justice Amendment Bill.
 
Committee Chairperson, Ms Madipoane Refiloe Moremadi Mothapo, said the purpose of the Bill is to amend the Child Justice Act, 2008, so as to:
 
·         Amend a definition;
·         Further regulate the minimum age of criminal capacity;
·         Further regulate the provisions relating to the decision to prosecute a child who is 12 years or older but under the age of 14 years;
·         Further regulate the proof of criminal capacity;
·         Further regulate the assessment report by the probation officer;
·         Further regulate the factors to be considered by a prosecutor when diverting a matter before a preliminary inquiry;
·         Further regulate the factors to be considered by an inquiry magistrate when diverting a matter at a preliminary inquiry;
·         Further regulate the orders that may be made at the preliminary inquiry;
·         Amend wording in order to facilitate the interpretation of a phrase;
·         Further regulate the factors to be considered by a judicial officer when diverting a matter in a child justice court; and
·         Provide for matters connected therewith.
 
Submissions must be received by no later than 2 November 2018. Please indicate your interest in making an oral presentation. Public hearings will be held at Parliament.
 
Submissions and enquiries must be directed to Mr V Ramaano, Portfolio Committee on Justice and Correctional Services, 3rd Floor, 90 Plein Street, Cape Town, 8000 or emailed to vramaano@parliament.gov.za. Copies of the Bill may be obtained from Mr V Ramaano, tel: (021) 403 3820 or 083 709 8427 or www.parliament.gov.za

Issued by The Parliamentary Communication Services on Behalf of The Chairperson of The Committee on Justice And Correctional Services, Ms Madipoane Refiloe Moremadi Mothapo