Speaking at a question and answer session between a group of children from Maputo schools and several government officials, held to mark African Children's Day, Maputo police spokesperson Jacinto Cuna said that protection of children should start at home, and lamented the sexual abuse of children by some adults.
Cuna was answering questions posed by the children as to what extent do the police guarantee protection to children, what kind of punishment is imposed on adults who rape minors, and what are the police doing about prison escapees when they are recaptured.
To illustrate police efforts to fight against crime, Cuna said the police neutralised 229 gangs of criminals in Maputo last year, 48 of whom were armed with pistols and knives, and recovered 210 stolen vehicles. So far this year, the police have recovered 229 stolen vehicles and 240 TV sets in the capital.
Cuna criticised some children who, at the request of adult thieves, become involved in robberies. "Because children under 18 will not be arrested, there are some adults who incite them to robbery. These children cause trouble, they steal cars, they kill and commit other serious crimes", he lamented, adding that at least 512 children aged between 11 and 17 were involved in some kind of crime last year.
Among the various questions to the government, some deaf or dumb children asked why more schools for children with special needs are not being built. They also wanted to know why schools for this group do not teach beyond grade seven.
They expressed disappointment with the fact that the government is not training more teachers for deaf and dumb children. They said that they are being taught by teachers who know nothing of sign language. Education Minister Alcido Nguenha said that the government has made an assessment of the country's needs, and has designed a teachers training programme, including teachers for children with special needs, but the problem now is shortage of funds for its implementation.
Fonte: AIM
