UNITED DEMOCRATIC MOVEMENT

MEDIA RELEASE

GAUTENG LEARNERS SUFFER FOR ALLEGED
PETTY THEFT

MEDIA STATEMENT ISSUED BY MALIZOLE DIKO
UDM NATIONAL SECRETARY

The United Democratic Movement (UDM) is shocked and very concerned about reports of two girls, under eighteen years of age, who both have had rather nasty experiences after allegedly stealing, at school, a chocolate and an energy drink respectively. Of additional concern is that reports indicate that both girls were pupils of the same primary school in Johannesburg.

The UDM does not condone any form of unlawful activity, but both these children did not deserve the such treatment; one was expelled from school and the other spent a night in jail; three hours of which she claims was shared with two male adults who harassed her.

South Africa's children has certain non-derogable rights, one being that they have the right "to be protected from maltreatment, neglect, abuse or degradation", another that they can "not be detained except as a measure of last resort" and then, a child must be "kept separately from detained persons over the age of 18 years".

The UDM is encouraged that Gauteng Education MEC, Ignatius Jacobs, is aware of the situation and that there is promise of an urgent investigation into the one girl's seemingly unlawful expulsion. The UDM suggests that Mr Jacobs include into his investigation, the alleged incidents that followed the second girl's detention and whether or not parents need to be concerned of the continued stability and safety of their children's education at the named school.

The UDM urges Mr Jacobs to extent his offer of counselling, by his department, to all the affected pupils and their classmates, since this experience may have shamed and traumatised them and they risk derision from fellow learners and teachers alike.

More importantly, the UDM calls on the Gauteng Department of Education and Gauteng schools to treat the matter of school children involved in petty theft, with correct- and appropriate measures. It is simply unacceptable that their rights be abused, such children must be guided and nurtured into being law-abiding citizens and not treated like hardened criminals who bear malice to society.

Enquiries:
Mr Malizole Diko
UDM National Secretary
083-759-6637

Cape Town
18 September 2001