OWING to a lack of probation officer reports because of the national strike by social workers, juvenile suspects have been released from the courts, specifically at Richards Bay.
Among recent cases ‘thrown out’, delayed or postponed by magistrates where no social worker or guardian reports were available, were the following:
• A repeat offender juvenile, arrested on a housebreaking charge where he also allegedly attempted to stab a victim, had to be released, but the charge was later reinstated;
• The case against a 13-year-old arrested on a sex offence charge had to be dropped for lack of a social worker’s report;
• A 15-year-old who appeared in court this week was released for the same reason.
Minors, who may not be named, may only be held in police custody for two days before being released.
And while this is done to prevent injustice to the children, it is also hampering court efficiency and angering victims of crimes committed by children.
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) was contacted for comment and will deliver feedback once the situation has been looked into.
‘We acknowledge receipt of your query. The Director Public Prosecutions in KZN, Advocate Moipone, has requested feedback from the Chief Prosecutor of the Empangeni Cluster,’ said Natasha Kara, Regional Spokesperson for the KZN Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).
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