Urgent motion revived by National Assembly to tackle statutory rape

THE National Assembly of South Africa unanimously agreed to revive a motion aimed at investigating the statutory rape of young girls and reviewing existing laws, with specific consideration for amending them where necessary.

- MAYIBONGWE MAQHINA

The motion, which was first introduced by the EFF in August last year, was read out by ANC chief whip Mdumiseni Ntuli to revive the work started by some committees, but they could not conduct public hearings.

Ntuli said the portfolio committees of Social Development, Basic Education, Health, Justice, and Police were mandated to receive submissions on the statutory rape of young girls, review legislation, and if necessary, recommend amendments to enforce mandatory reporting of statutory rape by teachers and nurses.

The committees were mandated to report to the House by March 31, but the actual hearings could not be conducted before the deadline. Ntuli said there was a need for the work of the committees to be pursued as initially intended.

He said the Portfolio Committee on Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities should lead the statutory rape related work and reporting to the National Assembly by November 30.