Parliamentary News Digest 23 July 2003

ACDP Parliamentary newsletter

Today's Topics:

1.Prison video link-up welcomed
2. Perspective on the government's Religion in Education policy
3.Cheryllyn Dudley reassures Kimerley community after doctor rape case
4. Government's sex education policy fuelling youth promiscuity

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1. Prison video link-up welcomed - By Steve Swart

Reacting to the SA Law Reform Commission's proposed a draft bill on the use
of video-links to handle the remands of awaiting-trial prisoners, ACDP
spokesperson on correctional matters Steve Swart welcomed the announcement,
saying it would help to reduce transport costs and improve prison safety.

"This solution will help to address the high number of awaiting trial
prisoners which will help solve the problem of prison overcrowding," ACDP
spokesperson on correctional services Steve Swart said on Wednesday.

"Many prisoners are transported to courts only for their cases to be
postponed. The new system, which will allow prisoners who are not appearing
in court for the first time to testify via a video link-up, will speed up
the judicial process," Swart said.

According to Swart, almost 20 000 of the 58 144 awaiting trial prisoners in
March this year could not afford bail and were contributing to the problem
of prison overcrowding. Swart has consistently campaigned for alternatives
to imprisonment, such as restorative justice, rehabilitation programmes and
juvenile offender diversion programmes.

Restorative justice seeks to include crime victims in programmes that allow
them to explain to the offender the effect that the crime has had and then
work towards restitution for the harm caused.

"Offenders are held accountable for their actions and even though they may
have limited financial resources, some form of repayment to the victim or
community service is considered," Swart said.

"Reforms to our correctional service that allow prisoners to be diverted
from a further life of crime by teaching offenders life skills enables them
to play a meaningful role as law-abiding citizens."


For more information: Steve Swart MP at 083 285 6290
Media Liaison: Charmaine Horne at 084 370 3550 or 021 403 3307

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2. Perspective on the government's Religion in Education - By Cheryllyn
Dudley

Perhaps a comment by Director-General of Education, Thamsanqa Dennis
Mseleku, that religion in education is not controversial, best illustrates
how the department underestimates the implications of its policy.

Education Minister Kader Asmal has previously promised to ensure that no
learner is ever again "indoctrinated" with Christianity. He and his
department are determined to 'manage' Christianity, which Asmal has referred
to as the problem.
His department operates from the basis that although Christians are the
majority group, equality is necessary and learners must not be exposed to
one religion exclusively.

According to the draft policy, single religion observances will only be a
possibility if it takes place "outside of the context of a school assembly"
and where a religious observance is part of the school day, it must reflect
the multi-religious nature of South Africa. Universal prayer and readings
or rotating different religious observances are the recommendations.

On the subject of 'religious schools', the Director-General pointed out that
Catholic Schools for example, could keep their Catholic ethos but must in
terms of the constitution facilitate equal access to all religions. The
Director-General also confirmed ACDP observations that the department sees
themselves as "the appropriate public authority" referred to in s15 of the
constitution referring to religious observances.

The SA Schools Act, which gives Governing Bodies powers, undermines these
powers in the very same Act. They are further undermined by other
legislation and s36 of the constitution, which limits rights, provided there
is a law of general application, and it is deemed reasonable and justifiable
in a democratic society. The "equality" which underpins the constitution
espouses "fair discrimination" for previously disadvantaged groups, and of
course, Christians are seen by government to have been previously advantaged
placing all other religions in the disadvantaged category. This is fast
becoming Governments primary tool in 'managing' Christianity.

To maintain the curriculum standards, both independent and public schools on
private property are required to achieve the minimum outcomes for Religion
Education and s42 of the policy refers to Religion Education as a "distinct,
examinable subject in the curriculum" causing some concern.

These things have not happened over-night and the ACDP, has been drawing
attention to such issues from the time the constitution was drafted, gaining
the distinction of being the only party to vote against the constitution on
these and other moral grounds. So where does this leave us?

South Africa faces a general election in less than nine months. What is
birthed at this time in the history of our nation is literally in the hands
of Christians who make up 70 % of the population There is no better time for
Christians to unite and turn the tide by electing Government, committed to
biblical principles. Just changing one humanistic govt for another would be
a tragic waste of effort and opportunity. The question is not whether
religion should influence politics, but whose religion and morality is
shaping our politics and nation.

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3. Kimberley doctor rape case under investigation - by Cheryllyn Dudley

Reacting to concerns of constituents in the Kimberley area after a report
yesterday that a 66-year-old doctor from the Kimberley Hospital had raped a
young girl, ACDP spokesperson on health Cheryllyn Dudley MP reassured
residents that the police are dealing with the matter and that the doctor
has been suspended from the hospital.

After visiting Kimberley Hospital and speaking to the hospital's medical
director Dr Hamid Shabbir, Dudley was told that the rape did not take place
on hospital premises, but at the home of the doctor, where the young girl
was staying. According to Dr Shabbir, the doctor is well respected among his
colleagues and that there had been no reason to question his behaviour prior
to the incident.

The hospital suspended the doctor immediately, in accordance with hospital
disciplinary procedure. The doctor has been taken into custody and the case
has been referred to the courts.

"South Africa is reeling under from the shock of tragic child murders and
rapes, and communities have had enough," Dudley said.

"It is no coincidence that attacks on family values through government
policies and legislation are on the increase, undermining the moral fibre of
our nation. Attempts to curb Christian prayer and teaching in schools
further exacerbates the unacceptable levels of violent crime which continues
to terrorise communities.

"Things must change and South Africans will have an opportunity to make the
necessary changes at the polls in nine months' time. Now is the opportunity
to protest in a manner that will be heard."

Dudley said that she would continue to follow developments and keep her
constituents informed about the matter.

For more information: Cheryllyn Dudley MP at 082 890 6520
Media Liaison: Charmaine Horne at 084 370 3550 or 021 403 3307

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4. Government's sex education fuelling youth promiscuity - by Cheryllyn
Dudley

New research showing increased promiscuity among teenagers clearly indicates
that the government's official HIV prevention and education campaign is not
working, says ACDP spokesperson on health Cheryllyn Dudley MP.

"The campaign makes only casual references to delaying sexual intercourse
while offering detailed explanations on how to 'please your lover' and how
to play sexy games. Sending mixed messages only serves to tell teenagers
that you are not serious about what you are saying," Dudley said.

"According to sex education material from government-funded group loveLife,
masturbating your partner without making it clear beforehand that you do not
want sex is playing with fire. What good will it do saying I don't want to
get burned before putting my hand in the fire?" Dudley asked.

"The advice given to our youth is lethal in view of the tragic consequences
of HIV/Aids and this sort of advice should be a criminal offence, let alone
sponsored by our tax money.

"Time has run out for loveLife which will be looking to extend its contract
with the government for a further five years. The damage done in the last
five years is shocking and if the government persists with their insane
'prevention' strategy, they must face the consequences and pay for the lives
that are being sacrificed and experimented with," Dudley said.


For more information: Cheryllyn Dudley MP at 082 890 6520
Media Liaison: Charmaine Horne at 084 370 3550 or 021 403 3307

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