Question CW220 to the Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development:

Gotsell, Mr N to ask the Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development:

(1) Whether, with reference to the referral of the alleged offender to the Children's Court for inquiry and evaluation (details furnished), the case was presented to the National Prosecuting Agency [sic] (NPA) for final decision after the outcome of the Valkenberg assessment; if not; why not; if so, what are the relevant details; (2) (a) What is the timeline from when the case was reported to the SA Police Service until the time when the decision was made to withdraw the matter and (b) what are the reasons why the matter was not referred to the Department of Social Development for investigation in terms of the Children's Act, 2005 (Act No. 38 of 2005); (3) whether any obvious negligence by the (a) Magistrate and/or (b) NPA in handling such a matter was detected; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, how will her department address the matter?