31 youths allegedly assault two workers at Bonnytoun centre
SOCIAL Development officials will meet to discuss security measures at the Bonnytoun Secure Care Centre after 31 youths allegedly assaulted two staff members and escaped from the centre.
Three of the the 31 were still at large and police launched a manhunt.
The department yesterday said 28 youths had been caught and brought back to the centre.
Some of the youths were returned by their parents.
One of the staff at the centre was recovering in hospital and had received a visit from Social Development MEC Albert Fritz yesterday.
Police say a case of absconding was registered against the escapees and is being investigated by Kraaifontein detectives.
Fritz’s spokesperson Sihle Ngobese said operations at the Bonnytoun Secure Care Centre returned to normal, as police were leading the investigation into the whereabouts of three unaccounted youths.
“The MEC has taken this matter seriously and will meet officials to discuss measures we’ll take as a department, especially once we’ve established all the facts.”
The view would be to ensure that such incidents did not happen. “Our greatest concern is not only the safety of all children at our Child and Youth Care Centre, but also of our staff.”
He said Fritz contacted one of the staffers who is recovering at home to wish them well, while he visited the other at the hospital.
Ngobese said the department has allocated R284 million this financial year to fund a growing network of 61 Child and Youth Care Centres across the province operated by the department and its NGO partners.
“We have implemented norms and standards for all facilities, and therapeutic programmes are rendered to sentenced children with severe behaviour problems.
“These children and the therapeutic and counselling services provided to them, are distinctly separate to children placed at facilities due to being deemed at-risk children.
“Anyone with information on the whereabouts of the three remaining youths is requested to contact the Kraaifontein SAPS on 021 980 5500 or 10111, or the department’s hotline on 0800 220 250.