Publications
Partners
Gauteng Premier David Makhura has appointed a special cabinet committee in response to the sexual violence in schools.
This comes after recent reports of sexual assault at several schools in Gauteng, including a security guard accused of sexually assaulting 87 girls at AB Xuma Primary School in Soweto.
The premier selected Member of the Executive Council for Education Panyaza Lesufi, MEC for Community Safety Sizakele Nkosi-Malobane and MEC for Social Development Nandi Mayathula-Khoza to form part of the committee.
This committee is set to work closely with non-governmental organisations to provide gender education in schools.
Makhura said: “We are perturbed and angered by these horrific crimes against our children – which are committed in schools and in communities in general.
"The sexual abuse, molestation and rape of girl children follows the same trend as the violence, rape and killing of women in general and young in particular.”
The immediate strategies adopted by the premier include:
• A meeting between the committee and school principals, school governing bodies, station commanders, community policing forums and patrollers to strengthen safety measures at schools;
• Re-vetting of all 6000 school patrollers;
• Resourcing the police with more officers and vehicles; and
• Appointing Life Orientation educators as the first contact for reporting.
“We must confront this scourge with all the arsenals and resources we have and bring the perpetrators to book.
"We need a comprehensive response by the police, communities, households and all relevant authorities,” said Makhura.
He said crimes against women and children required joint efforts, which include law enforcement, breaking the silence, victim empowerment and social mobilisation.
Makhura also commended work done by the South African Police Service’s family violence, child protection and sexual offences unit.
