Minister acknowledges South Africa is failing its children
Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development Mmamoloko Kubayi on Sunday accepted memorandums from Child Protection Organisations during a symbolic Children’s March to the Constitutional Court, marking the start of Child Protection Awareness Month in South Africa.
The event, jointly organised with the Gauteng Department of Social Development, created a platform for children to express their concerns about safety and exploitation in their communities.
Addressing the marchers, Minister Kubayi praised the bravery of the participating children and commended the NGOs and government partners behind the initiative.
"It is heartening to see children aware of their surroundings and ready to speak up about right and wrong. This march is a powerful reminder that we must listen to our children and take action to protect them."
Kubayi expressed alarm at emerging social challenges affecting children, including a troubling increase in child exploitation cases involving both parents, and a rise in sexual offences committed by minors.
"Traditionally, mothers were seen as protectors seeking help when children were harmed. Now, we are seeing disturbing cases where some mothers are themselves involved in the exploitation of children. This demands urgent attention and introspection from society,” she warned.
Kubayi also announced several legislative reforms in progress, including the review of the Criminal Procedure Act and parole conditions under the Parole Act, which she said are no longer adequate for the scale of the country’s gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF) crisis.
"We are working to modernise these laws to reflect the current realities. Our justice system must be equipped to deal with the magnitude of GBVF and the complexities around child protection."
As part of a broader accountability push, the Minister highlighted the rollout of a 90-day monitoring programme across the Justice, Crime Prevention and Security (JCPS) Cluster.
The programme tracks GBVF-related cases from initial reporting to prosecution outcomes, helping to identify gaps in the justice system.
"We are watching every stage of these cases—how many are reported, how many make it to court, and how many end in convictions. This data helps us act strategically and close loopholes,"Kubayi explained.
She reaffirmed government’s stance against parole for serious GBV offenders without victim consultation, calling for life sentences in extreme cases.
"While we do not support the death penalty, we fully support life imprisonment with no parole for the most serious crimes. Rehabilitation should never outweigh the permanent trauma of victims," she stated.
Kubayi also emphasised the importance of collaboration between the Justice Department and the Department of Social Development in addressing the multi-layered nature of child abuse.
"Justice handles prosecutions, but Social Development is essential for family support, rehabilitation and prevention. Only by working together can we build safe, nurturing environments for our children," she concluded.
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