SMACKING BILL - GOVERNMENT HAS ITS PRIORITIES WRONG, SAYS IFP

The IFP was shocked to learn that Government is in the process of developing draft legislation that would prevent parents from disciplining their own children.

"Surely Government has got its priorities wrong," said Liezl van der Merwe MP, the IFP's Spokesperson on Women, Children and People with Disabilities.

"There are critical issues Government needs to tackle, such as rampant poverty, joblessness, crime and corruption. Surely imposing limitations on parental authority should be the last thing on their agenda."

Van der Merwe said that the IFP would vehemently oppose such legislation.

"Government is interfering in the relationship between children and their parents. In the same week in which President Zuma has introduced the Green Paper on strengthening the family, we now have another arm of Government planning to introduce legislation that will serve to destabilize the family.

It is illogical. There is a big difference between discipline and abuse," said van der Merwe.

"And when it comes to abuse, South Africa already has comprehensive legislation," she added.

Van der Merwe said that the IFP was hopeful that during the process of drafting the discussion document and consultation with all sectors, this anti-parenting proposal will be rejected.

"Such legislation could have far reaching consequences. What if a child, not fully understanding the implications, complains to a teacher that they got a smack on the hand for stealing from a friend? Will that child be removed from their parents and placed in foster care? Does Government have the capacity, expertise or right to investigate every family's discipline technique? Certainly not. We simply do not have enough social works or
physiologists to begin with," concluded van der Merwe.

Statement issued by Ms Liezl van der Merwe MP, IFP's Spokesperson on Women, Children and People with Disabilities, August 30 2012

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