Positive response to Internet,TV porn concerns

Defending family, faith and freedom

I am greatly encouraged by Home Affairs Deputy Minister, Fatima Chohan’s positive response to my concerns about Internet pornography and sexually explicit programs on national free-to-air TV.

My June 10 meeting with Ms Chohan at Parliament stretched on for almost two hours as we discussed a strategy to develop legislation that will block pornographic content on the Internet at tier one level, as well as amend existing legislation to prohibit pornography on television.

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As an attorney, Ms Chohan agrees that the rights of the child are paramount, and Government’s primary responsibility is to protect the most vulnerable members of society – women & children.

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Dep Minister Chohan will soon convene a meeting between Dep Minister of Communications, Obed Bapela, Films & Publications Board CEO, Yoliswa Makhasi and myself to discuss these issues. She suggested I meet with Communications Portfolio Committee Chairperson, Eric Kholwane to explain our concerns with online and TV porn and solicit support for the proposed legislation. I will also meet with the Minister of Women, Children & People with Disabilities, Lulu Xingwana.

I learned Ms. Chohan is working on a legislative opinion on prostitution law reform for the ANC Women’s League. She requested my research on prostitution and its links to organised crime.

Refugee crisis

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The Dep Minister also raised the issue of the growing refugee crisis in SA that leaves vulnerable women and children prone to abuse and trafficking. Apparently, anyone applying for refugee status in SA is provided an automatic work permit. And many of the applicants are not genuine refugees.

A High Court ruling compels Home Affairs to provide every refugee applicant with a work permit until their application is processed – because they have no way of sustaining themselves. To compound the problem, it currently takes two years to process a refugee application, during which time the applicants can start a business or work for less money than SA workers.
This untenable situation has sparked horrific incidences of xenophobic violence countrywide.

Home Affairs is working hard to process refugee applications within three months. The system is currently open to abuse. When adult applicants are provided with work permits they often include young girls as their dependents. However, family links are not always verified.

Church feeding schemes

Ms Chohan believes one way of overcoming the automatic work permit dilemma is by establishing Church run feedingbschemes at the five refugee centres around the country. Home Affairs could then argue that work permits are unnecessary because refugees are being fed daily while waiting.

Church run feeding schemes would indirectly reduce xenophobic violence in the country and close a dangerous loophole in the system that is prone to manipulation and abuse. Providing meals for the poor, desperate and needy around the country is part of the Church’s mandate. We also have a great opportunity to evangelise the lost and make disciples for Christ.

If you can help get the feeding-scheme going in Musina, Pretoria, Durban, Port Elizabeth or Cape Town – please contact me.  Lets us not lose this opportunity to serve God and country.

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