ATC211208: Report of the Portfolio Committee on Police on the South African Human Rights Commission Report of the North West Provincial Investigative Hearing into the lack of Safety and Security Measures in Schools for Children with Disabilities in South Africa, dated 8 December 2021

Police

Report of the Portfolio Committee on Police on the South African Human Rights Commission Report of the North West Provincial Investigative Hearing into the lack of Safety and Security Measures in Schools for Children with Disabilities in South Africa, dated 8 December 2021.

 

1.         Introduction

The SAHRC tabled a report titled “The Report of the North West Provincial Investigative Hearing into the lack of safety and security in schools for children with disabilities” in Parliament in October 2019, which was referred to the Portfolio Committee on Police for consideration.

The hearings in the North West (NW) found that there is a general lack of relationship between special schools and departments, such as the SAPS, to address issues of crime prevention, particularly the prevention of child abuse.

 

2.         Deliberations

The Committee discussed the report and the SAPS presentation relating to the lack of a relationship between special schools and the SAPS to address crime prevention and child abuse in particular.

The Committee noted that the SAPS has a School Safety Plan which manages a school crime prevention plan and this plan will be extended to special schools. The SAPS reported that the department will be meeting with the Department of Justice and Correctional Services to consider detention facilities. When it comes to dealing with mentally challenged persons, the SAPS provides a complimentary service to the Department of Health and Education.

The Committee noted that the SAPS do not deal with the treatment drug abuse, but the Mental Health Care Act provides for the SAPS to deal with mentally challenged persons who are affected by drug abuse.    

 

3.         Recommendations

1. The Committee recommends that the SAPS develop the relationship with special schools together with other relevant government departments.

2. The Committee recommends that the SAPS implements the full school safety strategy in special schools and take additional steps for crime prevention and safety at special schools.

3. The Committee recommends that the SAPS provide a detailed report on the implementation of the school safety strategy.

4. The Committee recommends that the SAPS extend its consultations with other departments and close the gap with the community policing strategy

5. The Committee recommends that Parliament adopts the report.

 

Report to be considered.

 

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