04 October 2021
Media Advisory
As part of Social Development month which was launched by Minister Lindiwe Zulu on October 1, the Department of Social Development, will on Tuesday, October 05, conduct dialogues with parents and children in Ventersburg, Welkom, to highlight the symptoms and risks associated with gangsterism.
Gangsterism is one of the social drivers of crime incidents in the country. To address this problem of gangsterism which leads to violent behaviour among both children and parents, the Department of Social Development developed the Anti-Gangsterism Strategy to assist children, youth and families to realise the dangers associated with child gangsterism.
The implementation of Anti-Gangsterism Strategy calls for special attention to address gangsterism through dialogue with family members including children in Child and Youth Care Centres (CYCCs) and those who live in families and communities.
In addition, gangsterism promotes a culture of violent behaviour emanating from organised criminal activities, and substance abuse is one of the most socially coordinated mechanisms which renders communities dysfunctional. It is for this reason that the Children’s Act makes provision for the protection of children who are at risk of becoming gangsters and be in conflict with the law.
Social Development has a responsibility to provide appropriate alternative care to children when removed from the family environment which includes protecting them from gangsterism threats and other risk factors.
Gangsterism among children between the age of 14 and 17 years has been identified as one of the growing challenges in the area of Lejweleputswa District in Free State. The Department of Social Department through its profiling of children in CYCCs in the area identified that most children are part of gangs or live in communities with a high prevalence of gangsterism.
Members of the media are invited to attend and cover the dialogues scheduled as follows:
PARENTS DIALOGUES
Date: Tuesday, 05 October 2021
Time: 10h00
Venue: DJP Scholtz Street, Ventersburg Intermediate School, Welkom - Free State Province
CHILDREN’S DIALOGUES
Date: Tuesday, 05 October 2021
Time: 11h00
Venue: DJP Scholtz Street, Ventersburg Intermediate School in Ventersburg, Welkom, - Free
State Province
Members of the media can RSVP by contacting Ms Nomfundo Xulu-Lentsoane on 066 480 6845 / e-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
ISSUED BY THE NATIONAL DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT
Media enquiries may be forwarded to Ms Lumka Oliphant on 083 484 8067 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
