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Child Justice

Booklet CoverWHAT IS THE CJA?
Prior to 1 April 2010, children who committed crime were dealt with, in terms of the Criminal Procedure Act, 1977 (Act 51 of 1977) which also deals with adults who commit crime. The aim of the CJA is to set up a child justice system for children in confl ict with the law. This means that children under the age of 18, who are suspected to have committed crime, will not be dealt with in terms of the normal criminal procedure which is used for adults, but the child justice process will be followed.

The CJA seeks to ensure that child justice matters are managed in a rights-based manner and to assist children suspected of committing crime to turn their lives around and become productive members of society by engaging with the child in restorative justice measures, diversions and other alternative sentencing options.

AGE GROUPS COVERED BY THE ACT

CJ AgesAccording to the CJA, a child is someone who is under the age of 18. The CJA is specifically intended for children between the ages 10 and 18. The CJA states that:

  • A child under the age of 10 years cannot be arrested! This means that a child under 10 years does not have criminal capacity and cannot be charged or arrested for an offence. In such a case, the child will be referred to the Children’s Court.
  • A child older than 10 years but below the ages of 14 years is presumed to lack criminal capacity unless the state proves that he/she has criminal capacity. Such a child can be arrested.
  • A child above 14, but under 18 years of age, is said to have criminal capacity and can be arrested.

pdf Follow this link to read the booklet, to view the poster or the wall chart.

pdf Department of Social Development's list of centres accommodating children: Awaiting Trial and Sentenced

NATIONAL POLICY FRAMEWORK

Objectives of the Policy Framework
The NPF, as per the requirements of section 96 (1), include guidelines for the implementation of the priorities and strategies contained in the NPF; measuring progress on the achievement of the NPF and ensuring that the different organs of state comply with the primary and supporting roles and responsibilities allocated to them in terms of the NPF and this Act.
pdf National Policy Framework on the Child Justice Act, 2008 (Act 75 of 2008)

LEGISLATION

FORMS

  • Form 13 (J763) - Application for Expungement of Records of Conviction and Sentence by the Director–General or Cabinet Member - Sections 87(1) And 87(3) of the Child Justice Act, 2008 (Act No. 75 of 2008), Regulations relating to Child Justice [Regulation 49] pdf
  • Follow this link to also view the relevant forms for the Children's Act.

NOTICES

RELATED JUDGMENTS

DOCUMENTS & REPORTS

USEFULL LINKS

 

 

EXPUNGEMENT OF RECORDS OF CERTAIN CONVICTIONS AND DIVERSION ORDERS

Section 87 of the Child Justice Act provides for the expungement of records of certain convictions and diversion orders
(1) (a) Where a court has convicted a child of an offence referred to in Schedule 1 or 2, the conviction and sentence in question fall away as a previous conviction and the criminal record of that child must, subject to subsections (2), (3) and (5), on the written application of the child, his or her parent, appropriate adult or guardian (hereafter referred to as the applicant), in the prescribed form, be expunged after a period of....read more pdf

For any enquiries regarding expungements by the Minister or DG of Justice and Constitutional Development, contact any of the following officials:
N Mhlaba – Tel: (012) 315 1388, E-mail: NMhlaba@justice.gov.za
R Morgan – Tel: (012) 315 1232, E-mail: RMorgan@justice.gov.za
K Mtshweni – Tel (012) 315 4665, E-mail: KMtshweni@justice.gov.za
A Ally – Tel: (012) 315 1601, E-mail: UAlly@justice.gov.za
S Breytenbach – Tel: (012) 315 1423, E-mail: SBreytenbach@justice.gov.za
P Mdungwane – Tel: (012) 315 1561, E-mail: PMdungwane@justice.gov.za
L Nieuwoudt – Tel: (012) 315 1278, E-mail: LNieuwoudt@justice.gov.za
A Steyn – Tel: (012) 315 1300, E-mail: ASteyn@justice.gov.za
F Willmot – Tel: (012) 315 1412, E-mail: FWillmot@justice.gov.za
F Heyns – Tel: (012) 315 1327, E-mail: FHeyns@justice.gov.za

OFFICIALS WILL ONLY CONSULT WITH MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ON PRIOR ARRANGEMENT: PLEASE MAKE AN APPOINTMENT

Please note that the Director-General of the Department of Social Development, is responsible for the expungement of a record of any diversion order.
For further information please contact:
Ms Conny Nxumalo
Chief Director: Families and Social Crime Prevention, Tel: 012 312 7686, E-mail: connyn@dsd.gov.za
or
Mr Steven Maselesele
Director for Social Crime Prevention, Tel: 012 312 7065, Email : stevenm@dsd.gov.za

 

CONTACTS

Chief Directorate: Promotion of the Rights of Vulnerable Groups
Senior Legal Administration Officer
Ms Pritima Osman, Tel: 012 357 8205, Email: POsman@justice.gov.za

All queries and complaints relating to matters dealt by Family Advocate matters can be directed to:
The Office of the Chief Family Advocate
Ms Karabo Litheko
Tel: 012 315 1867, Email: klitheko@justice.gov.za

ONE-STOP CHILD JUSTICE CENTRES (OSCJC) 

Matlosana OSCJC
Centre Manager: Mr Nkosana Tshabalala
Tel: 018 466 5500/ 082 607 1598 21591
Physical address: Benji Oliphant Road, Klerksdorp

Nerina OSCJC
Centre Manager: Harriet  Katangana Contact Details
Tel:  041 402 9830 / 083 432 9932
Physical address: Corner of Phyllis and Gumpert Street, Schauderville, Port Elizabeth, 6000
Postal address: Private Bag X 3904,  North End, PE,  6056

Mangaung OSCJC
Centre Manager: Ms Carol Steward contact details
Tel : 051 034 1904 / 083 302 6247
Email: steward@socdev.fs.go.za
Physical address: 28 Drente Street, Erlichpark, Bloemfontein, 9300