![Unbanning corporal punishment in SA [video]](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.thesouthafrican.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2025%2F07%2Fpexels-ron-lach-10473509-1.jpg.optimal.jpg&w=3840&q=100)
Unbanning corporal punishment in SA [video]
The minister called on citizens to start a dialogue during his budget vote presentation at the National Assembly this week.
Delivering his budget vote at the National Assembly this week, Minister of Correctional Services Pieter Groenewald suggested a debate on reintroducing corporal punishment as a means of preventing prison overcrowding.
Read the full version of the ' Yes or no? SA weighs into unbanning corporal punishment' article.
Delivering his budget vote at the National Assembly this week, Minister of Correctional Services Pieter Groenewald suggested a debate on reintroducing corporal punishment as a means of preventing prison overcrowding.
The controversial practice was abolished in South African schools in 1996 under the Corporal Punishment Act, and later the South African Schools Act, specifically Section 10.
Looking for quick updates?
Watch News in a Minute videos on The South African's YouTube page for all the key stories you need to know!
Catch all the latest videos on news, lifestyle, travel, sports and more – there's always something to watch!
Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and BlueSky to stay connected and get your news on the go!
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The South African
26 minutes ago
- The South African
Gayton praises son's success: 'You grew up seeing me in jail'
Gayton McKenzie has heaped praise on his eldest son, Calvin Le John, who recently purchased SuperSport United, which he will rename Siwelele FC. The Minister of Sport has spoken about having eight children – from six women – including the advocate who helped him during his army robbery prison sentence. In an emotional Facebook post, Gayton McKenzie praised his eldest son, Calvin Le John, for his successful acquisition of SuperSport United. The 51-year-old shared how Calvin was born mere hours after he was convicted of armed robbery in 1996. He posted of his son: 'You grew up seeing me through jail bars. You never visited me on the weekends of the home games of Siwelele because you and your grandpa would go and watch the games religiously just like me and him when I was young. Gayton McKenzie has praised his son Calvin Le John for purchasing SuperSport United. Calvin plans to rename the club Siwelele FC. Images via X 'I remember you told me that it brings you closer to me emotionally. Knowing that you're doing the same thing I did with my father and your grandfather. Despite not having his father around, Gayton claims that Calvin Le John – who changed his last name – was a 'good kid with good intentions'. He continued: 'You suffered not growing up without your Dad. I thank God for a powerful mother who stood in the gap. You are the main reason why I behaved better. Because I wanted to come out and didn't wanna see you grow up through jail bars forever. After Gayton was freed and established his political party, the Patriotic Alliance, Calvin stepped up to take control of the family businesses. He has been at the helm, ever since. Of his decision to purchase the club, which they hope to bring to Bloemfontein, Gayton added: 'I agree fully with your purchase of SuperSport [United]. Because we both stood at the deathbed of my father and your grandad and we promised that we will always look after Siwelele. 'Siwelele is not a team, it's our Heritage, our culture, and part of our soul'. Gayton McKenzie has stayed mum about the identities of the six women who birthed his eight children, one of them being Calvin Le John. However, it is public knowledge that he wed lawyer, Nicolette Joubert, in 2003. This came after Nicolette was sent to investigate Gayton and others' allegations of corruption at the Grootvlei Prison involving prison gangs, warders, and inmates. The exposé became international news, and Gayton was named one of the 'Grootvlei Four.' The couple had two daughters together. A decade later, Gayton hinted that he had wronged his wife, whom he had since divorced. He tweeted: 'I hurt my ex-wife indescribably. But a bad word about me will never be heard by strangers or our kids, sheer class always.' Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 . Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp , Facebook , X, and Bluesky for the latest news.
IOL News
an hour ago
- IOL News
Public Service Commission expands its mandate to local government
Public Service and Administration Minister Mzamo Buthelezi says the Public Service Commission will work to institutionalise core values in local government by promoting ethical conduct, integrity, professionalism, and enhanced service delivery. Image: Supplied Public Service and Administration Minister Mzamo Buthelezi has outlined the process to be followed by the Public Service Commission to extend its mandate to the local government sphere. This occurs as the Public Service Commission Amendment Bill is being processed in Parliament. 'Over the next two and a half years, the Public Service Commission will work to institutionalise core values in local government, promoting ethical conduct, integrity, professionalism, and enhanced service delivery. "By the end of the seventh administration, we expect to have made significant progress in institutionalising these values across all spheres of government, including state-owned entities,' Buthelezi said. The Public Service Amendment Bill was first introduced in Parliament in October 2023 and lapsed at the end of the sixth administration in May 2024. It was revived at the start of this administration in July 2024 and was referred to the Public Service and Administration Portfolio Committee. The amendment bill has since been passed by the National Assembly in March and was transmitted to the National Council of Provinces for concurrence. Buthelezi said the recent adoption of the Public Service Commission Amendment Bill by the National Assembly marked a significant milestone in their commitment to strengthening the role of the commission in affirming its independence as a vital constitutional safeguard for promoting an ethical value system and good governance. 'The bill aims to achieve several key objectives. Firstly, it establishes a secretariat for the commission, enabling it to function as an independent and impartial constitutional body. This enhancement will support the commission in effectively fulfilling its mandate across the entire public administration, including local government and public entities,' he said. Buthelezi also said the bill sought to improve the efficiency and impact of the commission by legally obligating Members of the Executive to act on the recommendations the commission issued after conducting investigations. 'This measure is key as we collectively build a capable, ethical, and developmental state where accountability is the standard for all of us.' Buthelezi said they were strengthening the role of the Public Service Commission in the appointment of key people such as directors-general, deputy directors-general, CEOs of state-owned entities, board members, and other senior positions. 'The Public Service Commission has established a preliminary database of technical experts to participate in high-level selection committees for appointing top executives in the public sector. This database will be refined further, and a Good Practice Guide for Executive Recruitment will be developed.' He also said the progress made with the processing of the bill so far was a significant step towards the achievement of the objectives as outlined by President Cyril Ramaphosa during his State of the Nation Address.
IOL News
3 hours ago
- IOL News
DA leader John Steenhuisen hits back at Thabo Mbeki over national dialogue withdrawal criticism
DA leader John Steenhuisen has responded sharply to former President Thabo Mbeki's criticism for withdrawing from the National Dialogue. Image: Ayanda Ndamane/Independent Newspapers, IOL Graphics Democratic Alliance (DA) leader John Steenhuisen has hit back at former president Thabo Mbeki's criticism of the party's decision to withdraw from the upcoming National Dialogue. The DA announced last weekend that it would be withdrawing from the National Dialogue, just days after they threatened repercussions for the firing of former deputy minister Andrew Whitfield, who was fired by President Cyril Ramaphosa for travelling to the US without the president's permission. IOL reported this week that Mbeki, in a 10 page open letter, criticised the DA for its decision to withdraw from the upcoming National Dialogue, calling the move 'misplaced and very strange', accusing the DA of acting 'against its own very direct interests.' Good morning, South Africa. President Mbeki's open letter to me confirms that the National Dialogue is a creature of the ANC that has been sprung upon the public with the disingenuous claim that it is an 'inclusive' process. Read my full response below. — John Steenhuisen MP (@jsteenhuisen) July 5, 2025 Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ In a written response to Mbeki's open letter on Saturday, Steenhuisen said the DA would not participate in what he described as "another expensive talk shop" that would do nothing to improve people's lives. 'You sought my indulgence and now I must ask that you commit time for me to explain the DA's decision to stay away from yet another enormously expensive process that will predictably involve a lot of talking, but do nothing to advance open, transparent and corruption-free governance that South Africans so desperately desire,' Steenhuisen said. Steenhuisen also pointed out what he called a 'double standard' in how ANC ministers have been treated compared to the DA's deputy minister, Whitfield. He also criticised the dialogue's timing and origins, pointing out that Mbeki only called for it after the ANC's poor showing in recent elections. Suggesting it was a political move to regain lost support. "We also think the timing of this proposed dialogue is significant. We note that you did not call for a National Dialogue during the disastrous term of your successor, Jacob Zuma, even when the public outcry grew for his removal. "It was only last year, when it became clear that the ANC, for whom you campaigned in the 2024 election, was about to lose its majority, that you proposed this National Dialogue. It is clear to us that, as the ANC lost the confidence of the voters, ANC leaders (including yourself) began seeking ways of addressing this 'problem' as if it were a national crisis.' Steenhuisen said the dialogue was mainly planned between Mbeki and the ANC, without involving other political parties properly.
