ACDP unhappy at court ruling over child spanking
Do you agree with the High Court’s ruling to criminalise spanking?
The African Christian Democratic Party (ACDP) has expressed opposition to a court ruling that makes it illegal to spank your own child in South Africa.
This comes after the Gauteng High Court ruled on Thursday that the defence of reasonable chastisement was not in line with the constitution.
ACDP MP Cheryllyn Dudley said the party would support a public interest appeal and said criminalising spanking would not achieve the desired outcome, diverting resources from where most needed.
“The ACDP takes issue with this decision by one judge as it usurps the role of parliament whose responsibility it is to make and amend laws.
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“Parliament, the representatives of the people, considered this issue thoroughly over many years and concluded that it would not serve the desired purpose for reasonable chastisement to be abolished,” Dudley said.
She said ACDP had worked for many years to protect and defend children, their wellbeing, their right to be free from maltreatment, neglect, abuse and degradation, their right to a life, a home and a loving family and their right to loving and effective discipline.
Dudley said the ACDP valued family and the important role it played in society and was committed to protect the family and their right to their beliefs in regard to the upbringing of their children.
She said the ACDP felt like the court’s ruling would have negative consequences and would in effect undermine and disempower parents.
“The ACDP believes that parents should be respected and supported in the important task of raising their children. State or judicial interference without cause in these matters violates a child’s right to loving discipline and a parent’s right to guide their family and to make decisions and choices in line with their beliefs,” Dudley said.
The ACDP is of the opinion that freedom of religion or belief which is constitutionally protected, includes a person’s right to express their views and beliefs and to act in line with them provided they do not infringe on the rights of others.
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