Section27 calls for enforcement of child protection register

SECTION27, representing the Teddy Bear Foundation (TBF), has approached the Gauteng High Court, Pretoria, seeking an order for various government departments to discharge their constitutional and legislative obligations to maintain and implement the National Child Protection Register (NCPR).

- ZELDA VENTER

The matter stems from a 2022 case that Section27 was involved in, where it represented a learner who a caretaker at a school in the North West province had raped.

It is said that the school's governing body and the North West Department of Education failed to take all steps necessary to hold the caretaker accountable.

Section27 successfully intervened in the Mahikeng High Court, where it sought a mandatory order against various education authorities to act in accordance with their constitutional, legislative, and policy obligations.

After securing the order, a disciplinary hearing was held, and the caretaker was found guilty of rape. The department failed to place the caretaker on the NCPR, despite requests by Section27.

The application is brought against various departments, including Social Development, Justice and Constitutional Development, Basic Education, and provincial education departments.