NPA thanks donors for supporting child victims in court

Children using the National Prosecuting Authority’s (NPA) victims’ unit receive care packs, blankets, books, and non-perishable foods donated to provide comfort while they wait to give testimony in court.

In a handover ceremony held at the NPA offices in the City Bowl on Tuesday, September 9, the NPA thanked the donors for their support.

The donations include 500 care packs from an accounting firm, which include food, snacks, face cloths, and colouring books.

While various corporations and private persons also contributed non-perishable foods, 160 books were donated by Westlake United Church Trust (WUCT), blankets were donated by Tokai resident, Shann van Rensburg, who collected them from Westlake, while Tokai resident, Cecile Antonie, who worked under the umbrella of the Amazing Grace, a non-profit, managed to collect, fluffy toys and non-perishable goods. The Lakeside fire department also donated non-perishable foods and cereals.

According to the deputy director of court preparation of the NPA, Laura Baartman, the courts receive around 3 000 children per year who are victims of crime. Ms Baartman said many of them wait in the victim support rooms at the court for hours for their opportunity to give testimony, and many do not receive a full meal.

Ms Antonie said the donation drive took place over two months ago, following her Mandela Day appeal for the community to support child survivors visiting courts.

“Many children arrive in courts, hungry, cold, and afraid, and many of the court preparation officers who prepare the children end up paying for food out of their own pockets,” she said.

Ms Antonie said they had run this donation drive for items like two-minute noodles, soup, milk, and cereal that could be prepared using a kettle.

“So we collected colouring books and fluffy toys, so when they are waiting to appear in court, they will have something to do,” she said, adding that there would be enough food to share with the caregivers and legal guardians who bring the children to court.

Founder of the Westlake-based Amazing Grace non-profit, Lydia Ingpen said they are happy that Ms Antonie could run this donation drive under their banner.

“We believe in supporting the children of the courts, as a non-profit that supports vulnerable children, we go to court with them and we understand what they go through when they are waiting,” she said.

Ms Ingpen said her organisation also assisted in donating toys and books towards the drive. During this initiative, Amazing Grace also received a small donation of non-perishable foods that would go towards the vulnerable children staying in their safe houses.

Librarian Bertha Molefe at WUCT, a non-profit organisation that provides social development services for Westlake Village, said her organisation was approached by Ms Antonie.

She said that children were sitting quietly in courts and needed something to keep their minds occupied. Ms Molefe said they provided books that would cater to children from the ages of six to 15 years.

“We received positive feedback from the NPA, that the kids love and treasure the books, and as an organisation, we always share books with schools and pre-schools that need it,” she said.

Shann van Rensburg from Tokai, along with her colleague Laura Ryan, worked towards collecting blankets for the children of the court. Ms van Rensburg said they approached a sewing group from WUCT in Westlake, where her company, with support from donors, bought 30 blankets from this group.

“For us, it was about letting the children know that we care, it was about saying that we can make a small contribution towards a cause that can grow into something big,” she said.

Director of Public Prosecutions at the provincial NPA, Advocate Nicolette Bell said these contributions will make a big difference for the children who come to court.

“We share enormous gratitude for all our donations that will bring hope, dignity, and comfort to our child survivors,” she said.

Advocate Bell said their sterile court spaces can be a safe haven. “Providing essential resources and reminding those young souls that they are seen, valued and protected,” she said.