Latest news with #Children'sAct
Eyewitness News
a day ago
- Business
- Eyewitness News
Children's homes, rehabs and shelters face closure once again as Gauteng govt fails to pay
Two months into the financial year, which started in April, hundreds of non-profit organisations in Gauteng have not yet received their subsidies from the provincial Department of Social Development. 'These organisations include domestic violence shelters, child and youth care centres, inpatient substance abuse treatment facilities, and residential facilities for persons with disabilities,' the Gauteng Care Crisis Committee said in a statement on Friday. Organisations GroundUp spoke to say they only have enough reserve funds to last them two or three months before they will have to shut down. This echoes similar chaos last year, when organisations funded by the Gauteng Department of Social Development went unfunded for months. Many had to go into debt, from which they have not yet recovered. Premier Panyaza Lesufi intervened last year and a new MEC, Faith Mazibuko, has since taken the helm. But despite promises to restore the department's relationship with the organisations, problems with service agreements and late payments have not been curbed. At least 40 of the crisis committee's 114 member organisations have not been paid and 14 are still waiting for service level agreements (SLAs). According to a statement by the department on Monday, of the 1,640 SLAs issued to organisations, 1,424 have been signed and 818 payments have been made. That leaves more than 600 payments outstanding. And this excludes organisations who have not yet received SLAs, says committee chair Lisa Vetten. Department spokesperson Motsamai Motlhaolwa told GroundUp that late payments were due to challenges with the payment system. He also said some organisations had not signed the SLAs in time, and others were 'non-compliant' with municipalities and in some cases with the Children's Act. CHILDREN'S HOMES FACE CLOSURE Jacaranda Kinderhuis and Louis Botha Children's Home are two of the largest Child and Youth Care Centres in Gauteng and house more than 250 children. Neither centre has received an SLA for the new financial year, says Charlene Grobbelaar, CEO for both Louis Botha and Jacaranda. The subsidies received from the department usually cover 40% of their expenses. The SLA delays are apparently because the department said it requires a J738 form from the Department of Justice (DOJ) to show that no staff members are on the sex offender registry. The department initially accepted proof that the centres had applied for the form from the DOJ on 13 March. But since the start of May, they have received no update from the department. Without funding from the department, both homes are now running on reserve funds, which are quickly running dry. If the funding does not come through soon, the homes can only keep going for 'maximum a month', says Grobbelaar. Operations at both centres have been pared down, reserving the little funds available for food and salaries. Field trips and extracurricular activities have been cancelled. The centres have recently taken in children from small nearby centres that have closed their doors due to funding cuts. 'It's ridiculous, these are children's lives,' said Grobbelaar. Paul Kruger Kinderhuis in Gauteng with room for 63 children, which the department has funded for decades, received verbal indication from the adjudication panel that it would be funded but has not received anything in writing, despite repeated follow-ups. Manager Kobus Vorster said they have enough funds for another two months. Mothaolwa told GroundUp that all funded youth centres that have not received SLAs 'have been appraised on the reasons for the delays'. 'We would also like to bring to your attention that all the [organisations] that have worked with [the department] know our teams at regional offices … We are not sure why they asking us through the media, where we wont even give out information about them, because we respect the working relationship we have with them.' PAST UNDERSPENDING GroundUp previously reported that last year's funding crisis led several organisations to take the department to court over non-payments. Some have still not been paid despite having signed SLAs for the 2024/25 financial year and are still busy fighting for their money in court. The department has said that the reason it could not pay all NPOs was that it had run out of money and overcommitted its budget. GroundUp previously reported that organisations were dissatisfied with this answer. And on Monday, News24 reported that the department will have to return R102-million to the national treasury due to underspending in the 2024/25 financial year. Mothaolwa has previously said that underspending is mainly due to 'compliance' issues. This article first appeared on GroundUp. Read the original article here.
Daily Maverick
2 days ago
- General
- Daily Maverick
Gaps in the safety net — breaking down state and societal protections for children
South Africa's child protection system is supposed to be a safety net for young people in danger. But when you listen to the people working in the sector, you hear the same story again and again – the net is full of holes and too many children are falling through. Child protection in South Africa is a whole-of-society responsibility, involving the family and community, the departments of social development and justice, the South African Police Service and a range of civil society organisations. These structures are meant to provide a safety net for the country's children and ensure accountability and support when young people are exposed to physical, sexual or emotional attacks. And yet, too many children are still falling through the gaps. The experiences of some victims are never disclosed. Other cases are reported only to be lost over years-long efforts to attain justice and assistance. Daily Maverick spoke to child advocacy experts about South Africa's safety net for children, from its successes and failures to the need for reinforcement. Catch up Childhood in crisis This is a special Daily Maverick editorial project exposing the brutal realities of child abuse, neglect, and systemic failure – and what needs to change. Over the coming days, we'll publish a series of in-depth articles. Keep checking this page for the latest stories in the series. How does SA compare with other countries in child protection efforts? Globally, one in every two children between the ages of two to 17 experience some form of violence every year, according to Sinah Moruane, child protection specialist at Unicef South Africa. One in three children experience a form of emotional abuse. 'As South Africa… our child homicide rate is very high. We are standing at 5.5 [homicides per 100,000 children], according to the research done by the University of Cape Town Children's Institute, as compared to the global homicide levels, which are 2.5 for every 100,000 children,' said Moruane. The country does have legal frameworks and policies related to protecting children, namely the Children's Act, the Criminal Procedure Act and the Sexual Offences and Related Matters Act. Moruane noted that South Africa was also part of a global movement to address violence against children. But despite a robust legal framework, implementation remains flawed. How do social workers ensure the protection of children? South Africa's child protection system relies heavily on social workers, according to Professor Shanaaz Matthews, former director of the UCT Children's Institute. While social workers act through the Department of Social Development and at the level of community-based organisations, there simply aren't enough to manage the scale of violence against children in South Africa, said Moruane. Berenice Barry, social work manager at the Cape Town Child Welfare Society, said that social workers received training internally and from external service providers. Resources remained a challenge in every NGO, but she said social workers were solution-focused and performed their duties with the resources available to them. Moruane noted that for Child Protection Month 2025, the Department of Social Development committed to examining its case management process so that children whose abuses were reported received the best support. 'We know for a fact that there is the register that the department has institutionalised. The Child Protection Register assists in recording survivors, but also records people who perpetrate [against] children,' she said, adding that the register ensured provinces could track and support survivors. However, Moruane said that more needed to be done to ensure that children received the necessary support to heal from the scars of being 'violated'. Daily Maverick approached the Department of Social Development, but had not received a response at the time of publishing. How does the SAPS make or break cases? Many challenges around the SAPS' approach to crimes against children have been highlighted by child advocacy organisations and media over the years, including the resource constraints at police stations, the specialised training of officers and the backlogs of DNA evidence for matters under investigation. In March, parliamentary committee on police chairperson Ian Cameron stated that the DNA backlog facing the SAPS Forensic Science Laboratory division exceeded 140,000 cases. Luke Lamprecht, head of advocacy for the Gauteng-based nonprofit Women and Men Against Child Abuse, told Daily Maverick that issues bedevilling DNA forensic services in South Africa included the limited availability of sexual assault evidence collection kits, breaks in the chain of custody for samples and years-long waits for results. 'Without a suspect to test [samples] against, they simply don't test the DNA, so [samples] lie around, rooms and rooms full of these kits, that are never analysed,' he said. Daily Maverick has asked the SAPS about DNA testing services and investigations of crimes against children. A response will be added once it becomes available. Moraune expressed appreciation for the efforts of the SAPS, but believed improvement was needed in officers' engagements with child victims, especially when it came to taking statements. 'Some… chase the children away, [or tell them to] come with an adult, so that then they can take their case. What if the very same adult is… [the] perpetrator of violence? Then it becomes very difficult for a child to feel free to report.' Online abuses against children, such as exposure to child sexual abuse material or grooming by perpetrators, are sometimes a low priority for the SAPS, said Moraune. 'When a child has to report this, there is no urgency… because it's not viewed with the same intensity and seriousness,' she said. 'We are appealing to the police… to take the cases that children put across, and show that proper investigation is needed.' Rumbidzai Chidoori, regional policy and advocacy coordinator at Sonke Gender Justice, said inadequate state budget allocations for police resources and shelters, particularly those that could accommodate women with children, showed a lack of appreciation for the scale of the problem. When children were removed from abusive homes, Chidoori said not enough was done to follow up, leading to secondary violations. What do children experience in SA's courts? When Daily Maverick asked the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) about its success rates in cases of crimes against children, it responded that it did not 'keep records of the victims at this stage – not even on the Child Justice [side], unfortunately'. Lamprecht estimated that in cases of sexual violence against children, the conviction rate was between 4% and 7%. The Teddy Bear Foundation, an NGO providing services for victims of child abuse, released statistics in March 2025 showing that, of 5,385 cases handled by its court preparation programme between 2019 and 2024, just 4% had resulted in a conviction, according to a TimesLIVE report. When children's cases make it to court, they should receive support services throughout – and beyond the justice processes, said Moruane. She noted that, according to the Criminal Procedure Act, child victims should not be brought into contact with perpetrators. 'We can attest to the fact that the country has put in measures that are really responsive to the needs of children, to ensure that survivors of violence are not engaging in forms of secondary victimisation by going through the court processes,' she said. Lamprecht noted that while processes in the high court tended to be well-resourced and efficient, the situation in the lower courts was often more disorganised, with many postponements. One case he's involved with has been in process for seven years. How effective are referral pathways between stakeholders? While institutions involved in child protection were aware of their mandates, there were times that children 'fell through the cracks' due to failures in the referral pathways between stakeholders, said Moruane. 'The referral mechanisms are the ones that are failing the child… We need to look at how best to connect the dots between the different child protection actors in the ecosystem to ensure that at least the child will move from a social worker to the police, or [vice versa],' she said. Shifting to digitised referral pathways would go a long way to streamlining the process of moving cases of child violence through the system, said Moruane. It would allow case information to be shared seamlessly between different professionals, reducing the need for children to repeatedly recount traumatic events. There have been reports of poor coordination between various departments, leading to lost evidence in child abuse cases. However, Barry said social workers didn't experience any challenges in working with law enforcement, the courts or hospitals in child abuse cases. How is family the first line of defence? Family remains a child's first line of defence against harm. Moruane said there were still many cases of violence against children that went unreported by caregivers. 'Research tells us that three in every four children experience violence at the hands of caregivers or parents. It shows us that we have normalised… the administering of corporal punishment to children and as such, addressing violence becomes very challenging,' she said. 'It is important that parents, caregivers, other family members have a listening ear for children and… report such cases, so that children can receive help… at a very convenient and early age.' How do we shift to a system of prevention? Prevention measures are vital when it comes to violence against children, according to Chidoori. South Africa's system, however, is largely focused on responding to harm. Chidoori advocated for directing more resources towards preventive measures, including stronger social protection systems, positive parenting (especially involving fathers), addressing harmful social norms, tackling substance abuse and providing mental health support. 'If we strengthen prevention, fewer children will go through the criminal justice system, and fewer children will actually require therapeutic, intensive interventions. We should turn the pyramid around and strengthen prevention,' said Moruane. Identifying cases of child abuse is the responsibility of everyone in society, said Matthews. 'Until we all accept that we have a part to play in how to prevent and reduce abuse of children, then we're not going to stop this problem because stopping this problem starts with each one of us internally,' she said. 'This speaks to how we raise our own children, how we use corporal punishment … and [how] people at times turn a blind eye when they see it happening to neighbours or within our families.' DM
The Citizen
3 days ago
- The Citizen
Stand up for children: Support Child Protection Week 2025
Child Protection Week is an annual campaign in South Africa aimed at raising awareness about the rights of children and the importance of protecting them from abuse, neglect, violence, and exploitation. It is a time to promote collective responsibility for the safety and well-being of every child. In 2025, Child Protection Week will be observed from May 29 to June 5. While the week helps focus national attention, child protection must be a daily commitment. Children face risks throughout the year, and safeguarding their rights requires ongoing vigilance, education, and action from individuals, families, communities, and institutions. Ongoing efforts are essential to break cycles of abuse and create a safer, more supportive society for future generations. Here is how you can get it: Know the law and your duty South Africa's Constitution and the Children's Act (Act No. 38 of 2005) place a legal and moral obligation on every adult to protect children. Understanding Article 28 of the Constitution, which guarantees every child the right to protection from maltreatment, neglect, abuse or degradation, is the first step towards meaningful action. Be the eyes and ears If you witness or suspect abuse, don't stay silent. Reporting abuse can save lives. Know the signs of physical, emotional and sexual abuse, as well as neglect. Children may not always speak out, but their behaviour often does. Empower children with knowledge Teach children about their rights in age-appropriate ways. Equip them with the tools to speak up and seek help if they feel unsafe at home, at school, or online. Trusted adults, teachers and caregivers must create safe spaces for these conversations. Support child-focused organisations Donate, volunteer, or partner with NGOs and community organisations working in child protection. Their work is vital and often under-resourced. Use your skills, time or platforms to make a difference. Keep an eye on digital dangers Online grooming, bullying, and exploitation are increasing threats. Monitor children's online activities, activate parental controls, and have open conversations about internet safety. Make child safety everyone's business Encourage schools, religious institutions, sports clubs, and community groups to observe Child Protection Week. Hosting workshops, poster drives, or awareness talks can amplify the message that every child matters. Break the silence on abuse Stigma and silence perpetuate abuse. Survivors and allies must be supported to speak out. Share real stories (with consent) during Child Protection Week to shine a light on both the pain and the hope of recovery. Challenge harmful norms Cultural practices or social beliefs should never justify child abuse. Take a stand against harmful traditions, bullying, and gender-based violence in all its forms. Lead by example Children watch what we do more than what we say. Show respect, kindness and non-violence in your own actions, whether as a parent, neighbour or community leader. Save these vital numbers: Keep these helplines easily accessible and share them in your networks: • Department of Social Development (24/7 GBV Command Centre): 0800 428 428 (Toll-free) • Dial *120*7867# (free from any mobile phone) to request a call-back • Childline South Africa: 116 • Child Welfare South Africa: 0861 4 CHILD (24453) / 011 452-4110 • Email: info@ This year's theme echoes a vital truth: 'It's in our hands to stop the cycle'. Let's build a society where children are protected, nurtured, and given the chance to thrive, not just during Child Protection Week, but every day. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
The Citizen
3 days ago
- The Citizen
Protect SA's children: Your role matters
Child Protection Week is an annual campaign in South Africa aimed at raising awareness about the rights of children and the importance of protecting them from abuse, neglect, violence, and exploitation. It is a time to promote collective responsibility for the safety and well-being of every child. In 2025, Child Protection Week will be observed from May 29 to June 5. While the week helps focus national attention, child protection must be a daily commitment. Children face risks throughout the year, and safeguarding their rights requires ongoing vigilance, education, and action from individuals, families, communities, and institutions. Ongoing efforts are essential to break cycles of abuse and create a safer, more supportive society for future generations. Here is how you can get it: Know the law and your duty South Africa's Constitution and the Children's Act (Act No. 38 of 2005) place a legal and moral obligation on every adult to protect children. Understanding Article 28 of the Constitution, which guarantees every child the right to protection from maltreatment, neglect, abuse or degradation, is the first step towards meaningful action. Be the eyes and ears If you witness or suspect abuse, don't stay silent. Reporting abuse can save lives. Know the signs of physical, emotional and sexual abuse, as well as neglect. Children may not always speak out, but their behaviour often does. Empower children with knowledge Teach children about their rights in age-appropriate ways. Equip them with the tools to speak up and seek help if they feel unsafe at home, at school, or online. Trusted adults, teachers and caregivers must create safe spaces for these conversations. Support child-focused organisations Donate, volunteer, or partner with NGOs and community organisations working in child protection. Their work is vital and often under-resourced. Use your skills, time or platforms to make a difference. Keep an eye on digital dangers Online grooming, bullying, and exploitation are increasing threats. Monitor children's online activities, activate parental controls, and have open conversations about internet safety. Make child safety everyone's business Encourage schools, religious institutions, sports clubs, and community groups to observe Child Protection Week. Hosting workshops, poster drives, or awareness talks can amplify the message that every child matters. Break the silence on abuse Stigma and silence perpetuate abuse. Survivors and allies must be supported to speak out. Share real stories (with consent) during Child Protection Week to shine a light on both the pain and the hope of recovery. Challenge harmful norms Cultural practices or social beliefs should never justify child abuse. Take a stand against harmful traditions, bullying, and gender-based violence in all its forms. Lead by example Children watch what we do more than what we say. Show respect, kindness and non-violence in your own actions, whether as a parent, neighbour or community leader. Save these vital numbers: Keep these helplines easily accessible and share them in your networks: • Department of Social Development (24/7 GBV Command Centre): 0800 428 428 (Toll-free) • Dial *120*7867# (free from any mobile phone) to request a call-back • Childline South Africa: 116 • Child Welfare South Africa: 0861 4 CHILD (24453) / 011 452-4110 • Email: info@ This year's theme echoes a vital truth: 'It's in our hands to stop the cycle'. Let's build a society where children are protected, nurtured, and given the chance to thrive, not just during Child Protection Week, but every day. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
The Citizen
3 days ago
- The Citizen
Child Protection Week 2025: It's in our hands to safeguard children's rights
Child Protection Week 2025: It's in our hands to safeguard children's rights Child Protection Week is an annual campaign in South Africa aimed at raising awareness about the rights of children and the importance of protecting them from abuse, neglect, violence, and exploitation. It is a time to promote collective responsibility for the safety and well-being of every child. In 2025, Child Protection Week will be observed from May 29 to June 5. While the week helps focus national attention, child protection must be a daily commitment. Children face risks throughout the year, and safeguarding their rights requires ongoing vigilance, education, and action from individuals, families, communities, and institutions. Ongoing efforts are essential to break cycles of abuse and create a safer, more supportive society for future generations. Here is how you can get it: Know the law and your duty South Africa's Constitution and the Children's Act (Act No. 38 of 2005) place a legal and moral obligation on every adult to protect children. Understanding Article 28 of the Constitution, which guarantees every child the right to protection from maltreatment, neglect, abuse or degradation, is the first step towards meaningful action. Be the eyes and ears If you witness or suspect abuse, don't stay silent. Reporting abuse can save lives. Know the signs of physical, emotional and sexual abuse, as well as neglect. Children may not always speak out, but their behaviour often does. Empower children with knowledge Teach children about their rights in age-appropriate ways. Equip them with the tools to speak up and seek help if they feel unsafe at home, at school, or online. Trusted adults, teachers and caregivers must create safe spaces for these conversations. Support child-focused organisations Donate, volunteer, or partner with NGOs and community organisations working in child protection. Their work is vital and often under-resourced. Use your skills, time or platforms to make a difference. Keep an eye on digital dangers Online grooming, bullying, and exploitation are increasing threats. Monitor children's online activities, activate parental controls, and have open conversations about internet safety. Make child safety everyone's business Encourage schools, religious institutions, sports clubs, and community groups to observe Child Protection Week. Hosting workshops, poster drives, or awareness talks can amplify the message that every child matters. Break the silence on abuse Stigma and silence perpetuate abuse. Survivors and allies must be supported to speak out. Share real stories (with consent) during Child Protection Week to shine a light on both the pain and the hope of recovery. Challenge harmful norms Cultural practices or social beliefs should never justify child abuse. Take a stand against harmful traditions, bullying, and gender-based violence in all its forms. Lead by example Children watch what we do more than what we say. Show respect, kindness and non-violence in your own actions, whether as a parent, neighbour or community leader. Save these vital numbers: Keep these helplines easily accessible and share them in your networks: • Department of Social Development (24/7 GBV Command Centre): 0800 428 428 (Toll-free) • Dial *120*7867# (free from any mobile phone) to request a call-back • Childline South Africa: 116 • Child Welfare South Africa: 0861 4 CHILD (24453) / 011 452-4110 • Email: info@ This year's theme echoes a vital truth: 'It's in our hands to stop the cycle'. Let's build a society where children are protected, nurtured, and given the chance to thrive, not just during Child Protection Week, but every day. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
