In Conversation With Angel Khanyile (MP) DA Spokesperson on Women, Youth & People with Disabilities
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The Democratic Alliance (DA) is escalating its campaign to strengthen accountability in child sexual abuse cases by taking its concerns to provincial legislatures across the country. The party says government departments are failing to comply with mandatory reporting laws, allowing suspected child rapists to avoid investigation and prosecution.
The move follows a dossier the DA submitted to the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC), alleging systemic failures by the Departments of Health, Social Development, Police, Justice, and Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities. According to the party, many cases involving girls under the age of 16 who become pregnant are not being properly reported to authorities, despite the Children’s Act requiring professionals to report suspected sexual abuse through Form 22.
A Form 22 is a statutory child protection form that must be completed by healthcare workers, teachers, social workers or other professionals whenever there is a reasonable suspicion that a child has been abused or deliberately neglected. Once submitted, it should trigger intervention by social workers and, where a criminal offence is suspected, referral to SAPS for investigation. The DA argues that these forms are often either not completed or not acted upon, creating gaps that prevent perpetrators from being investigated.
The move follows a dossier the DA submitted to the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC), alleging systemic failures by the Departments of Health, Social Development, Police, Justice, and Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities. According to the party, many cases involving girls under the age of 16 who become pregnant are not being properly reported to authorities, despite the Children’s Act requiring professionals to report suspected sexual abuse through Form 22.
A Form 22 is a statutory child protection form that must be completed by healthcare workers, teachers, social workers or other professionals whenever there is a reasonable suspicion that a child has been abused or deliberately neglected. Once submitted, it should trigger intervention by social workers and, where a criminal offence is suspected, referral to SAPS for investigation. The DA argues that these forms are often either not completed or not acted upon, creating gaps that prevent perpetrators from being investigated.
