Take kids out of Methodist Church: lawyer
9 February 2010, 14:00
By Hanti Otto
Court Reporter
Central Methodist Church in Joburg and former bishop Paul Verryn have been criticised for the conditions and exposure to danger of children who found refuge there, but the church is providing shelter and assistance to youngsters to whom little or no assistance was initially offered by the state, says a child rights lawyer.
However, the last few children still residing at the church should be taken into care systems and a planned "reception centre" must be opened as soon as possible to take care of unaccompanied children.
These were some of the findings and recommendations made by lawyer, who was last month appointed by the Johannesburg High Court as curator of 56 children, and others she might identify, who arrived at Central Methodist Church up to January 15.
The church became a sanctuary for children who fled poverty, persecution, abuse and xenophobic attacks in townships.
However, claims of sexual abuse and disputes between the church and government departments, which accused Verryn of refusing to co-operate with social workers, led to Skelton's appointment.
Her report was released yesterday, after investigations and interviews with the children and other parties involved.
She found that an improved system was needed to ensure children were not permitted to gather at the church or any other unregistered shelter.
Referring to allegations of sexual abuse at the church, Skelton recommended that the progress of these investigations be assessed by the provincial Director of Public Prosecutions.
Interested parties have two weeks to comment on the report.
Court Reporter
Central Methodist Church in Joburg and former bishop Paul Verryn have been criticised for the conditions and exposure to danger of children who found refuge there, but the church is providing shelter and assistance to youngsters to whom little or no assistance was initially offered by the state, says a child rights lawyer.
However, the last few children still residing at the church should be taken into care systems and a planned "reception centre" must be opened as soon as possible to take care of unaccompanied children.
These were some of the findings and recommendations made by lawyer, who was last month appointed by the Johannesburg High Court as curator of 56 children, and others she might identify, who arrived at Central Methodist Church up to January 15.
The church became a sanctuary for children who fled poverty, persecution, abuse and xenophobic attacks in townships.
However, claims of sexual abuse and disputes between the church and government departments, which accused Verryn of refusing to co-operate with social workers, led to Skelton's appointment.
Her report was released yesterday, after investigations and interviews with the children and other parties involved.
She found that an improved system was needed to ensure children were not permitted to gather at the church or any other unregistered shelter.
Referring to allegations of sexual abuse at the church, Skelton recommended that the progress of these investigations be assessed by the provincial Director of Public Prosecutions.
Interested parties have two weeks to comment on the report.
- This article was originally published on page 3 of The Cape Argus on February 09, 2010
Pretoria
