Prisons

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Minister Fritz is gravely concerned with increasing juvenile statistics

Statistics prove that there are over 387 juveniles detained in the Western Cape.

Prisons

Photo: unsplash.com

The Minister of Community Safety; Albert Fritz has expressed grave concern over the increasing number of juveniles and young people incarcerated in the Western Cape province.

Minister pleads for support from society

Fritz said that children should not be detained and that society should participate to ensure that imprisonment is the last resort for young people.

“The bedrock of a safe society is one where there is a compendium of services, opportunities and support for all young people. This requires families, religious organisations, NGOs, private business, government and good citizens to work better together to safeguard our young people, and give them positive alternatives and keep them away from gangs, criminal syndicates and drug dealers.”

Minister of Community Safety, Albert Fritz

In a recent survey, it was revealed by Unlock Statistics, provided by the Department of Correctional Services, that there is a significant number of children and juveniles who are arrested.

Where are juveniles detained?

Detained and sentenced children are currently detained in Brandvlei Youth, Drakenstein Medium B, Pollsmoor Medium A and Mosselbaai prisons. Of the detained inmates:

  • Nine are children under the age of 18 years old.
  • 799 are juveniles between the ages of 18 to 21 years old.
  • 2405 are between 21 and 25 years.

“My department, together with the Western Cape Government, will continue to uplift young people and keep them out harm’s way, through youth cafes, ICAN and MOD centres, partial and afterschool care, the Youth and Safety Religious Programmes (YSRP) and the Chrysalis Youth Academy.”

Minister of Community Safety, Albert Fritz

Of those sentenced, seven are children, 387 are juveniles and 2742 are between 21 and 25 years. The Department of Community Safety pledges to use every resource available to improve the safety of young people in the Western Cape.

Cape Town crime rates

In a recent statement, the Department of Community Safety reported a slight decline in the Cape Town murder rates.

“When compared with last weekend, we saw the number of recorded murders in the metro region dip from 46 to 41, which is still incredibly high. What we have seen is a marked decline in the number of murders as a result of a gunshot, which was at its lowest in at least ten weekends.”

Alan Winde, Western Cape Premier

Minister Albert Fritz also indicated this week that illegal guns sit at the heart of gang-related murders in Cape Town. The cause of the increase of gun violence in South Africa is because of 9855 guns are either lost or stolen each year.

“South Africa arguably has amongst the most stringent gun laws in the world. The Firearms Control Act (No. 60 of 2000) governs and regulates firearms in the country and is administered by SAPS’ Central Firearm Register. It deals with the management, control, monitoring and enforcement of legislation that relates to the control of firearms. The Act guides the process followed to own a gun, licensing, training (competency certificate), storage and safe keeping, licence renewal and associated accountability.”

MEC Albert Fritz, Department of Community Safety