Issued by: Ministry of Social Development
5 November 2001
The Minister of Social Development dr. Zola Skweyiya has also expressed shock and sadness at the death of two children who drowned during the National Children's Day in Zoo Lake, Johannesburg and has added his voice for a full probe into the circumstances that led to this tragedy.
I am indeed saddened that this tragedy took place and would like to express my sincere condolences to the affected families. It is even more sad that this takes place at a time when the nation not only celebrated the children of our country, but most importantly, at a time when we are folding our sleeves to fight relentlessly to ensure that the socio - economic rights of children as enshrined in the constitution are realised.
Meanwhile the Minister has also said that the reported increasing statistics in the number of rape cases including the raping of children is a matter a of serious concern that requires the nation as a whole to double its efforts and work together to fight and eliminate this scourge.
"We owe to our children and the future to eliminate the scourge of rape and other forms of violence and abuse of women and children in our society." Further said the Minister.
The Minister was reacting to the recently released statistics reporting and increase in rapes within the communities.
The government and the civil society structures are making preparations for the 16days of activism Against Violence on women and Children starting with the Men's March in Cape Town from the 25th November and culminating with the commemoration of International Human Rights ay on the 0th December 2001.
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