The following speech was delivered today by DA Shadow Minister of Women, Denise Robinson MP, during the debate on 16 Days of Activism for no violence against women and children
Honourable Speaker,
I cannot but ask who thinks up these slogans for our debates – clearly someone who is out of touch with the reality of SA today, with Ministers of state cosy in their cocoons of corruption and privilege, closeted from the harsh desperate lives of the majority of South Africans, with many hungry children searching for a crust of bread, desperate unemployed parents getting sucked into crime or the oblivion provided by alcohol or drugs.
Much of our Justice system is failing us, with criminal and maintenance courts understaffed and compromised in their service delivery.
How can we honestly say that we are moving towards a non-violent SA forward when we look at the statistics: the soaring rates of sexual violence, indecent assault, rape, domestic violence and human trafficking being on the increase.
These are everyday occurrences so one sometimes becomes inured to the shock and horror. But when one of our own peers – a member of this August House – is found guilty and sentenced, his first crime a petty one, and going on to assault three women in a fit of rage, it shows that violence against women pervades every level of our society and knows no class, colour or creed.
It does makes one wonder what criteria are used by the President when he selects his Cabinet – certainly not merit!
We were reassured when charges were laid with the Ethics Committee but what does this committee do? It withdraws the charges!
What ethics are expected of “Honourable” members? Being one of the select cronies obviously removes the need for ethical behaviour.
The first duty of government is to secure the safety of all its citizens.
A strong message needs to be sent to other potential abusers to act as a deterrent to all patriarchal predators.
Another example of the half-hearted manner in which the Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development and this Government have been dealing with crimes against women and children is to be found in the way in which it has dealt with budget cuts. In the difficult financial times this country is facing, all departments are supposed to rationalise or leave vacant what is called a non-critical post.
So what has been the response of this Ministry?
Well, firstly it has over the last year or so ended the contracts of 17 workers at the Sexual Offences Registry.
Staff, who were responsible to verify and vet the details of all sex offenders in order for them to be included in the Sexual Offences Register.
The accuracy of that register is crucial as it should enable us as South Africans to prevent sexual predators from being appointed at workplaces where they will have direct access to vulnerable children. We have seen a massive increase of sexual offences committed at schools by educators.
The Ministry tried earlier this year to shelve the rollout of dedicated sexual offences courts by including an amendment to this effect in addition to other technical amendments in the Judicial Matters Amendment Bill.
Luckily this was stopped by an outcry from civil society groups and the Opposition.
However, the rollout of these vitally needed dedicated sexual offence courts will proceed at a snail’s pace in courts due to the excuse of “budgetary constraints”.
Yet, Government is happy to be extravagant about luxuries and non-essentials, which do not improve the quality of life of the ordinary person in the street.
We recently heard that R700 000 will be spent to ensure that a Minister gets a braai. That could have built at least 11 RDP houses.
The vulnerable in our society are indeed vulnerable in more ways than one!
This brings me to the Maintenance Courts whose inaction is inflicting so much harm on parents and children.
Mothers are trapped in a poverty cycle, battling to feed and raise their children, but maintenance services are very limited due to the moratorium placed on the employment of staff.
I quote from a letter received from the Department of Justice Regional office located in Plein Street:
“We advise that since there is a moratorium on employment of staff at the Department of Justice, the workload of our staff have increased. We understand you concern and frustration and will forward your complaint to our relevant supervisor who have the authority to forward it to National Office. Department of Justice and Constitutional Development.”
Do you know that there is only one Maintenance Officer at Plein Street and people sit there for hours waiting for assistance? The response takes weeks so maintenance payments are not received. And the battle for survival continues.
Surely this is a violation of access to justice?
One year ago, the DA Women’s Network held a picket outside Parliament. We handed a memorandum to the DoJ about the problems in the maintenance courts.
We have still not received a reply, despite enquiries.
Is there a shredding machine that gobbles up all the petitions and memoranda that are presented?
Why has the blacklisting legislation that was passed in 2015 not been implemented yet?
Finally, let’s look briefly at the case of the Frankel 8 and the landmark ruling in the Johannesburg High Court which has been hailed as a major victory for all victims of sexual abuse as these cases of sexual or indecent abuse are no longer limited to a 20-year cut–off date, the prescription law.
Why did the Ministry of Justice not act sooner when the inconsistency between the law and the Constitution had been apparent for at least 10 years?
It would have removed the heartache of many who had been abused years ago and had to suffer without the chance of resolution or closure.
Can we say that the Government and the Ministry of Justice are on the side of law and order?
Are they making every effort to ensure that justice is promoted in all courts?
Surely that is what is needed if we are going to move together towards a non-violent South Africa.
We would love to be counted in as moving a non-violent South Africa forward, but Parliament and the DoJ in particular have been found wanting in protecting victims of injustice, succumbing to self-enrichment and not the most basic needs of the citizens of South Africa.
Under a DA administration in 2019, we will put the interests of the poor, marginalised and vulnerable first.