Issued by: Ministry for Welfare and Population Development
STATEMENT BY WELFARE AND POPULATION DEVELOPMENT MINISTER GERALDINE FRASER-MOLEKETI ON THE RE-ARREST OF ALLEGED CHILD RAPIST DAN MABOTE
The South African Police Services - particularly dedicated policemen who daily make breakthroughs - should be commended for the re-arrest of self-confessed child rapists and murderer Daniel Mabote. I also commend those community members who were bold enough to take the action which led to the re-arrest of Mabote.
The rape and subsequent callous killing on 25 March 1997 of Mamokgethi Malebane, the seven-year-old Kabelo Primary School grade 2 pupil in Katlehong, is still vivid in the memories of many South Africans. Her shocked family and the nation reeled from double trauma when the killer escaped from custody.
I, once again, reiterate that we in Government should tighten and close loopholes in the administration of the criminal justice system.
Incidents such as escapes of criminals also call on organs of civil society and communities to remain vigilant and blow the whistle whenever perpetrators are seen. Violence against women and children should not be tolerated in any quarters. This is reflected in it being identified as a priority crime within our criminal justice system.
Sexual exploitation and abuse of children is a violation of any child's human rights, protection from abuse and neglect, physical integrity, dignity and privacy. There is mounting public concern over the extent and severity of child abuse and neglect in the country. Moreover, the number of reported cases is increasing rapidly, and the situation calls for urgent measures to help children caught up in child abuse and neglect.
From January to March 1997 there were a total of 9 376 cases of child abuse reported to the Child Protection Unit of the SA Police Services. According to current CPU statistics, the extent of reported cases of child abuse and neglect is increasing monthly and is a widespread problem.
The National Crime Prevention Strategy, of which the Department of Welfare forms part, is the Government's major weapon in the campaign to address the causes of crime, reducing its levels in the country. Since May 1996, Government departments have been laying the foundation for the successful implementation of the NCPS. Within the NCPS, Welfare is responsible for the Victim Empowerment Programme, ensuring that support and counselling is administered.
At the Ministry for Welfare and Population Development, I have set up a Task Team on the Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children, to inves˙tigate the feasibility of introducing a public national register for sex offenders. Although this is a contentious issues in terms of violating the rights of the offender, I think such a mechanism would help deter situations like the one in Katlehong.
Issued: Ms Geraldine Fraser-Moleketi, MP Minister for Welfare and Population Development
20 January 1997