A Grade 8 boy from Oakdale Secondary School in Ennerdale, South of Johannesburg, recently died after being stabbed in a fight outside the school. A Grade 10 learner, also in the fight, was hospitalized. The fight was reportedly due to gangsterism among pupils from different schools in the area.
It’s not uncommon for children to be accused of crimes. Some have committed serious offenses that society cannot tolerate, while others have stolen to survive. Regardless of their crimes, when children are arrested, they need to be handled with care. The Constitution says that children under 18 should only be detained as a last resort and must be kept separate from adults if detained.
The Gauteng Department of Social Development manages sentenced children and those awaiting trial. They run two secure centres: the Walter Sisulu and Soshanguve Secure Care Centres, where 150 children are currently detained.
Social workers at these centres say children mainly want to stay in touch with their families, and long separations cause unhappiness. Last Saturday, the Soshanguve Secure Care Centre held a family day for children to reconnect with their families and inform them about the services aimed at correcting their behaviour. Social worker Kgomotso Matlala said they were pleased with the family turnout. Some children are in regular contact with their families, but others have been moved so far from home that their families can’t visit.
“Sometimes, even when families live nearby, they don’t visit, and the children don’t know why. It might be that they are still angry about what the children did. For those whose families didn’t come, we will provide counselling,” said Matlala. Parents had mixed emotions during the family day.
Sarah Ngubane said, “We would prefer to have him at home, but we know that is not possible. I’m happy with his progress. I hope the department helps the children use their detention productively, especially with education. I can sleep at night knowing he is safe. When the police came, I gave him a Bible and said it would be his shield.”
Her 19-year-old son, Skhumbuzo Ngubane, who has been in detention since 2019, said, “I’m a better person now. I’ve been through a program that made me reflect on myself, and here I am safe. I’ve learned to respect authority. I don’t know what would have happened outside. I like to help people. I’ve been going to Bible classes and want to open a church and a shelter for the homeless.”
It’s crucial that rehabilitation includes restorative justice, repairing relationships between incarcerated people, victims, and the community. We must tackle the stigma and shame associated with criminality. Everyone deserves a second chance, especially the youth.
By Teddy Gomba
