Planning for Public Hearings

TASK GROUP ON THE SEXUAL ABUSE OF CHILDREN
6 March 2002
HEARINGS ON SEXUAL ABUSE OF CHILDREN: PLANNING

Chairperson: Mr E Saloojee

Documents handed out
Draft Programme on the Public Hearings

SUMMARY
There will be all day hearings from 11 to 13 March. The Task Group is not allocating funds for people who are coming to make submissions but an exception has been made for people travelling from the rural areas. In terms of the rules of the National Assembly an interim report has to be submitted on 15 March.

MINUTES
The Chairperson told Members that the publicity they have been engaged in has borne some fruits. Presently about forty nine written and fifty nine oral submission have been processed and all of these have been forwarded to Members. The hearings will commence on the 11 March up to the 13 March and the 14 March has been allocated to children who are going to make submissions. These will be held at the Old Assembly Chamber and it has come to his attention that the NCOP will not be utilising the venue during the hearings.

The Task Group is not allocating funds for people who are coming to make submissions but an exception has been made for people travelling from the rural areas. In terms of the rules of the National assembly an interim report has to be submitted on 15 March. The Minister of Welfare and Population Development together with the Deputy Minister of Home Affairs would make submissions during the first day.

Mr M George (ANC) needed clarity on whether these submissions have been forwarded to Members.

The Chair said that they have been forwarded.

Mr George asked whether those who will be making oral submissions are going to take them by surprise.

The Chair replied that some have sent their documents but others are busy preparing them, especially those from the rural areas.

Mr George commented that it is not relevant to invite Ministers but rather the police officers that are directly dealing with these abuses.

Prof Mayatula (ANC) asked whether the Minister of National Education is going to attend.

The Chair replied that the Minister had requested that he be allowed to make submissions.

Mr George said that it looks as if the programme does not accommodate questioning time.

The Chairperson said that Members will have the opportunity to ask questions within the time constraints allotted but there will be some adjustments.

Ms S Mnumzana (ANC) wanted to know if there any people from the rural areas that are going to make submissions.

The Chairperson said that there are people from the rural areas.

Ms N Mnandi (ANC) said she does not see anyone reflected on the programme from KZN but there are people who have made written requests to be on the programme.

The Chairperson said that they have Dudu, a Social Worker at Prince Mshiyeni Hospital, and Lindiwe Khoza from New Castle. They are from the rural areas of KZN who have been provided with funding to attend the hearings.

Ms Mnumzana commented that as Thursday has been put aside for children, those who have not been accommodated may utilize this particular day in order to make their own presentations.

Ms Mnandi said they need to accommodate all the Provinces and the involvement of social workers.

Ms Tshidi (ANC) said Members themselves should have made contact with the affected people.

The Chairperson appreciated the comment made by Ms Tshidi and said Members need to be pro-active.

Prof Mayatula raised concern about the logistics, as next Thursday they would be having a caucus.

The Chairperson said that he will see to it that this is being sorted out.

Ms Kalyan (DP) said that as the Chairperson of her caucus she would make an arrangement.

The meeting was adjourned.