Text in Afrikaans / In hierdie ondersoek word gepoog om 'n regswetenskaplike basis vir "Die Verslag van die Maatskaplike Werker ingevolge artikels 14(4) en 15(1) van die Wet op Kindersorg as 'n Juridies Gefundeerde Hulpmiddel vir die Kinderhof' daar te stel. Die studie fokus onder andere op vroeere wetgewing rakende sekere regte van kinders voor die instelling van kinderhowe in Suid-Afrika, die aard en instelling van die kinderhof, die posisie van kinderhowe binne die hierargie van howe en die kinderhof se handeling. Ooreenkomstig die administratiefreg word die klem veral geplaas op die regsvereistes wat vir alle administratiewe handelinge geld - soos deur Wiechers (1984) gesistematiseer en deur Eckard (1988) op kinderhofondersoeke van toepassing gemaak is. Regswetenskaplike begrippe met inagneming van die relevante gemeneregtelike beginsels, die tussentydse Grondwet, ander relevante wetgewing en regspraak word ontleed ten einde die betekenis en invloed daarvan vir die verslag van die maatskaplike werker duidelik te maak. By implikasie hied hierdie ontleding ook riglyne vir die skryf van die verslag vanuit 'n regsperspektief. Aan die hand van genoemde regsperspektiewe word 'n voorlopige model binne 'n bepaalde struktuur vir die skryf van hierdie verslag voorgestel. Die regsbeginsels wat ontleed is, word doelgerig en planmatig aangewend in 'n poging om uitvoering aan die doelstellings van die kinderhof te verleen en die bewyswaarde van inligting maksimaal te verhoog. Kritiese stellings asook verskeie dilemmas waarmee die maatskaplike werkers in die praktyk te make het, word aangespreek en word nuwe betekenis aan die begrippe "maatskaplike werker" en "verslag" rakende kinderhofaangeleenthede verleen. By wyse van 'n beperkte verkennende empmese ondersoek binne die Christelike Maatskaplike Raad van Noord-Transvaal, word bestaande kritiek betreffende die verslae wat maatskaplike werkers aan kinderhowe lewer asook die maatskaplike werker se beperkinge rakende relevante regskennis bevestig. Spesifieke behoeftes aan kennis word geldentifiseer en 'n hernieude maatskaplikewerkperspektief rakende kinderhofwerk as 'n spesialiteitsgebied binne die maatskaplikewerkterrein word bevestig. Verder word die regsvereistes asook ander relevante vereistes wat op die verslag van toepassing behoort te wees, en soos vanuit die literatuurstudie bepaal is, beaam. Hierdie ondersoek is 'n nuwe bydrae tot die maatskaplikewerkvakliteratuur en baan die weg tot verdere navorsing en ontwikkeling op hierdie terrein. / This investigation attempts to establish a jurisprudential basis for the "The Report of the Social Worker according to articles 14(4) and 15(1) of the Act on Child Welfare as a Juridically Based Aid for the Children's Court". The study focuses inter alia on earlier legislation concerning certain rights of children prior to the establishment of children's courts in South Africa; the nature and institution of children's courts; the position of children's courts within the hierarchy of courts, as well as actions of the children's court. In accordance with Administrative Law the accent falls especially on legal requirements for all administrative actions as systematised by Wiechers (1984) and as applied by Eckard (1988) to examination in such courts. An analysis is made of jurisprudential concepts such as Common Law principles, the Interim Constitution, and other relevant acts of parliament and court verdicts in order to clarify their meaning and influence for this report. By implication this analysis also furnishes guidelines for writing the report within jurisprudential perspectives. With the aid of these perspectives a preliminruy model is presented within a specific structure for the writing of this report. The jurisprudential principles analysed, are purposively and methodically applied in an attempt to satisfy the goals of the children's court and maximise the value of evidence given. Critical statements and several dilemmas confronting social work practice are addressed, and in the court situation new meaning is accorded to concepts such as "social worker" and "report". By means of a limited exploratory empirical investigation within the confines of the Christian Social Services of the Northern Transvaal the present criticism of reports delivered to courts by social workers as well as their jurisprudential limitations have been confirmed. Specific knowledge deficiencies have been identified and a renewed social work perspective on children's courts as specialist field in social work has been established. Legal and other relevant requirements for this report - as found in the literature study - have been confirmed. This investigation constitutes a new contribution to social work literature and opens the way to further research and development in this field. / Private Law / D. Phil. (Social Work)

Text in Afrikaans / In hierdie ondersoek word gepoog om 'n regswetenskaplike basis vir "Die Verslag van die Maatskaplike Werker ingevolge artikels 14(4) en 15(1) van die Wet op Kindersorg as 'n Juridies Gefundeerde Hulpmiddel vir die Kinderhof' daar te stel. Die studie fokus onder andere op vroeere wetgewing rakende sekere regte van kinders voor die instelling van kinderhowe in Suid-Afrika, die aard en instelling van die kinderhof, die posisie van kinderhowe binne die hierargie van howe en die kinderhof se handeling. Ooreenkomstig die administratiefreg word die klem veral geplaas op die regsvereistes wat vir alle administratiewe handelinge geld - soos deur Wiechers (1984) gesistematiseer en deur Eckard (1988) op kinderhofondersoeke van toepassing gemaak is. Regswetenskaplike begrippe met inagneming van die relevante gemeneregtelike beginsels, die tussentydse Grondwet, ander relevante wetgewing en regspraak word ontleed ten einde die betekenis en invloed daarvan vir die verslag van die maatskaplike werker duidelik te maak. By implikasie hied hierdie ontleding ook riglyne vir die skryf van die verslag vanuit 'n regsperspektief. Aan die hand van genoemde regsperspektiewe word 'n voorlopige model binne 'n bepaalde struktuur vir die skryf van hierdie verslag voorgestel. Die regsbeginsels wat ontleed is, word doelgerig en planmatig aangewend in 'n poging om uitvoering aan die doelstellings van die kinderhof te verleen en die bewyswaarde van inligting maksimaal te verhoog. Kritiese stellings asook verskeie dilemmas waarmee die maatskaplike werkers in die praktyk te make het, word aangespreek en word nuwe betekenis aan die begrippe "maatskaplike werker" en "verslag" rakende kinderhofaangeleenthede verleen. By wyse van 'n beperkte verkennende empmese ondersoek binne die Christelike Maatskaplike Raad van Noord-Transvaal, word bestaande kritiek betreffende die verslae wat maatskaplike werkers aan kinderhowe lewer asook die maatskaplike werker se beperkinge rakende relevante regskennis bevestig. Spesifieke behoeftes aan kennis word geldentifiseer en 'n hernieude maatskaplikewerkperspektief rakende kinderhofwerk as 'n spesialiteitsgebied binne die maatskaplikewerkterrein word bevestig. Verder word die regsvereistes asook ander relevante vereistes wat op die verslag van toepassing behoort te wees, en soos vanuit die literatuurstudie bepaal is, beaam. Hierdie ondersoek is 'n nuwe bydrae tot die maatskaplikewerkvakliteratuur en baan die weg tot verdere navorsing en ontwikkeling op hierdie terrein. / This investigation attempts to establish a jurisprudential basis for the "The Report of the Social Worker according to articles 14(4) and 15(1) of the Act on Child Welfare as a Juridically Based Aid for the Children's Court". The study focuses inter alia on earlier legislation concerning certain rights of children prior to the establishment of children's courts in South Africa; the nature and institution of children's courts; the position of children's courts within the hierarchy of courts, as well as actions of the children's court. In accordance with Administrative Law the accent falls especially on legal requirements for all administrative actions as systematised by Wiechers (1984) and as applied by Eckard (1988) to examination in such courts. An analysis is made of jurisprudential concepts such as Common Law principles, the Interim Constitution, and other relevant acts of parliament and court verdicts in order to clarify their meaning and influence for this report. By implication this analysis also furnishes guidelines for writing the report within jurisprudential perspectives. With the aid of these perspectives a preliminruy model is presented within a specific structure for the writing of this report. The jurisprudential principles analysed, are purposively and methodically applied in an attempt to satisfy the goals of the children's court and maximise the value of evidence given. Critical statements and several dilemmas confronting social work practice are addressed, and in the court situation new meaning is accorded to concepts such as "social worker" and "report". By means of a limited exploratory empirical investigation within the confines of the Christian Social Services of the Northern Transvaal the present criticism of reports delivered to courts by social workers as well as their jurisprudential limitations have been confirmed. Specific knowledge deficiencies have been identified and a renewed social work perspective on children's courts as specialist field in social work has been established. Legal and other relevant requirements for this report - as found in the literature study - have been confirmed. This investigation constitutes a new contribution to social work literature and opens the way to further research and development in this field. / Private Law / D. Phil. (Social Work)

Text in Afrikaans / In this dissertation the legal position with regard to children as victims of sexual crimes is examined in South Africa, England, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. Sexual crimes with children are a serious and widespread international problem. The purpose of this study is to identify deficiencies / gaps in the South African law. Children are not only the victims of the sexual crimes, but they are exposed to further trauma whilst giving evidence. Their best interests are also often not taken into proper consideration during the sentencing phase. In is in the interest of justice that children=s interests must be taken into account the whole time. In terms of international conventions and charters State parties are required to protect children against all forms of discrimination, violence, abuse and exploitation. Children may not be exposed to any sexual crimes, because these activities violate their right to bodily (and psychological) integrity, human dignity and privacy. In order to acknowledge the importance of children=s best interest, priority must be given to all cases in which children are the victims and their unique characteristics, age and development must be taken into consideration. This will ensure that they are not further victimized during the trial. Deficiencies in the Criminal Law are addressed by proposing new definitions, for instance for rape and incest. Shortcomings in the Procedural Law are identified and recommendations are made especially with regard to the alternative measures by which children can testify. Guidelines are also suggested for admissible cross-examination. New sentencing options are recommended and possible aggravating circumstances which ought to play a role during the consideration of a suitable and just sentence for sexual crimes with children are suggested. / Criminal & Procedural Law / LL.D.

This dissertation examines the legal position relating to the participation of children in research, especially in HIV preventive clinical research in South Africa. HIV/AIDS presents a real threat to humanity and particularly to the welfare of children. The participation of children in this type of trials is therefore vital. Children, as vulnerable participants, must also be protected from harm resulting from research. The study also considers the nature of HIV preventive clinical research, pointing to the inconsistencies in the legislation governing children’s participation in HIV preventive vaccine trials. The dissertation concludes that the question of the participation of children in HIV preventive clinical research poses many challenges, as the position in the South African law and relevant ethical guidelines are inconsistent and contradictory. The study recommends in the final instance that the relevant statutory provisions and ethical guidelines be harmonised in order to clear up the inconsistencies. / Jurisprudence / LL.M. (Legal Aspects of HIV/AIDS)

Text in Afrikaans / In this dissertation the legal position with regard to children as victims of sexual crimes is examined in South Africa, England, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. Sexual crimes with children are a serious and widespread international problem. The purpose of this study is to identify deficiencies / gaps in the South African law. Children are not only the victims of the sexual crimes, but they are exposed to further trauma whilst giving evidence. Their best interests are also often not taken into proper consideration during the sentencing phase. In is in the interest of justice that children=s interests must be taken into account the whole time. In terms of international conventions and charters State parties are required to protect children against all forms of discrimination, violence, abuse and exploitation. Children may not be exposed to any sexual crimes, because these activities violate their right to bodily (and psychological) integrity, human dignity and privacy. In order to acknowledge the importance of children=s best interest, priority must be given to all cases in which children are the victims and their unique characteristics, age and development must be taken into consideration. This will ensure that they are not further victimized during the trial. Deficiencies in the Criminal Law are addressed by proposing new definitions, for instance for rape and incest. Shortcomings in the Procedural Law are identified and recommendations are made especially with regard to the alternative measures by which children can testify. Guidelines are also suggested for admissible cross-examination. New sentencing options are recommended and possible aggravating circumstances which ought to play a role during the consideration of a suitable and just sentence for sexual crimes with children are suggested. / Criminal and Procedural Law / LL.D.

This dissertation examines the legal position relating to the participation of children in research, especially in HIV preventive clinical research in South Africa. HIV/AIDS presents a real threat to humanity and particularly to the welfare of children. The participation of children in this type of trials is therefore vital. Children, as vulnerable participants, must also be protected from harm resulting from research. The study also considers the nature of HIV preventive clinical research, pointing to the inconsistencies in the legislation governing children’s participation in HIV preventive vaccine trials. The dissertation concludes that the question of the participation of children in HIV preventive clinical research poses many challenges, as the position in the South African law and relevant ethical guidelines are inconsistent and contradictory. The study recommends in the final instance that the relevant statutory provisions and ethical guidelines be harmonised in order to clear up the inconsistencies. / Jurisprudence / LL.M. (Legal Aspects of HIV/AIDS)

Text in Afrikaans / Die MIV/vigs-pandemie in Suid-Afiika- van die ergste in die wereld- toon geen tekens van afname nie. Miljoene kinders is reeds of wees gelaat of hewig geaffekteer deur die magdom impakte daarvan op gesinne en gemeenskappe. Die epidemie het voortdurend stygende sterftesyfers tot gevolg en die hewige las van die siekte rus swaar op MIV-positiewe sowel as MIV-negatiewe individue. Verder word tradisionele ondersteuningsnetwerke oorbelaai en/of gaan hulle tot niet. Gesinne en gemeenskappe verloor hul ekonomiese, sosiale en kulturele lewensvatbaarheid. Die pandemie hou, veral onder die armes, 'n geweldige bedreiging vir die gesondheid, welstand en regte van babas, kinders en jongmense in. 'n Groot gedeelte van die impak van MIV/vigs hou verband met die feit dat sommige kinders en hul gesinne beperkte toegang tot die elemente van 'n gesonde omgewing en goeie gesondheid het. Regerings, gemeenskappe en gesinne wat deur MIV/vigs geraak word, het minder tyd, energie en finansiële hulpbronne beskikbaar om op voorkomende gesondheidsorg te fokus. Benewens die impak op gesondheidstatus, word kinders se omstandighede ook as gevolg van MIV/vigsverwante probleme bemoeilik. Dit sluit verhoogde gesinsarmoede, 'n hoer risiko van verlating en weeslating, geforseerde migrasie, onterwing, sielkundige trauma, uitsluiting en diskriminasie, en fisiese en seksuele mishandeling in. Die derde vlaag van die epidemie, welke vlaag nou betree word, word gekenmerk deur 'n ontsettende hoe sterftesyfer, 'n ontploffing in die getal sorgbehoewende en weeskinders en 'n verhoging in menslike pyn en lyding. Die reg speel 'n baie belangrike rol in die beperking van hierdie impak van die MIV/vigs-pandemie op die lewens van alle kinders. MIV/vigs-reg is in die proses van evolusie of vorming en reeds bestaande teorieë kan aangewend word ten einde sekere vrae te beantwoord en probleme daaromtrent aan te spreek. Tog is daar 'n dringende behoefte aan MIV/vigs-spesifieke wetgewing en teorieë ten einde die impak van die pandemie op alle vlakke suksesvol te beheer. Verder het die Kinderreg so 'n mate van ontwikkeling bereik dat daar algemeen aanvaar word dat kinders 'n spesiale belangegroep binne die gemeenskap vorm. Die regsreëls met betrekking tot kinders verander gedurig en is ook nie geskik om volgens die tradisionele wyse, as privaat- of publiekreg, geklassifiseer te word nie. In die hieropvolgende proefskrif word die impak van MIV/vigs op sekere publiekregtelike, maar oorwegend privaatregtelike aspekte van die Suid-Afiikaanse kinderreg ondersoek, sowel as enkele metodes waarop die reg moontlik hierdie impak kan absorbeer en hanteer. Daar word ook in aparte hoofstukke na die impak van MIV/vigs op die lewens van kinders. sorgbehoewende kinders, egskeiding en die ouer-kind-verhouding verwys The HIV/aids pandemic in South Africa - one of the worst in the world - does not seem to be decreasing. Millions of children have already been either orphaned or heavily affected by the numerous impacts on families and communities associated with it. The epidemic brings on an ever-increasing mortality rate and the extreme burden thereof weighs down heavily on HIV-positive as well as HIV-negative individuals. Traditional support networks are further being heavily burdened or perish entirely. Families and communities lose their economical, social and cultural viability. The pandemic threatens, especially among the poorest, the health, wellbeing and rights of infants, children and young people. The impact of HIV/aids is to a great extent the result of the fact that some children and their families do not have sufficient access to a healthy environment and good health. Governments, communities and families affected by HIV/aids have less time, energy and financial resources available in order to enable them to focus on preventive healthcare. In addition to the impact on health status, children's circumstances are also being encumbered by HIV/aids-related problems, including family poverty, a higher risk of being abandoned or orphaned, forced migration, disinheritance, psychological trauma, ostracism and discrimination and physical and sexual abuse. The third wave of the epidemic, which wave is presently being experienced, is characterised by a high mortality rate, an increasing amount of children in need of care and orphaned children and an increase in human pain and suffering. The law plays an important role in the limitation of the impact of the HIV/aids pandemic on the lives of children. HIV/aids law is in the process of evolution or forming and existing theories can be used in order to answer certain questions and address certain issues relating to it. However, there is an urgent need for HIV/aids-specific legislation and theories in order to successfully manage the impact of the pandemic on all levels. Child law has also reached such an extent of development that children is now viewed as a special interest group within the community. The legal principles regarding children change constantly and cannot be classified in the traditional way, which is either as private or public law. In this thesis the impact of HIV/aids on certain aspects of the public and private law pertaining to children is examined. Ways in which the impact can be absorbed and managed by the law is also examined. The impact of HIV/aids on divorce, the parent-child relationship, children in need of care, and the impact of HIV/aids on the lives of children is examined in separate chapters. / Jurisprudence / LL. D.

Text in Afrikaans / Die MIV/vigs-pandemie in Suid-Afiika- van die ergste in die wereld- toon geen tekens van afname nie. Miljoene kinders is reeds of wees gelaat of hewig geaffekteer deur die magdom impakte daarvan op gesinne en gemeenskappe. Die epidemie het voortdurend stygende sterftesyfers tot gevolg en die hewige las van die siekte rus swaar op MIV-positiewe sowel as MIV-negatiewe individue. Verder word tradisionele ondersteuningsnetwerke oorbelaai en/of gaan hulle tot niet. Gesinne en gemeenskappe verloor hul ekonomiese, sosiale en kulturele lewensvatbaarheid. Die pandemie hou, veral onder die armes, 'n geweldige bedreiging vir die gesondheid, welstand en regte van babas, kinders en jongmense in. 'n Groot gedeelte van die impak van MIV/vigs hou verband met die feit dat sommige kinders en hul gesinne beperkte toegang tot die elemente van 'n gesonde omgewing en goeie gesondheid het. Regerings, gemeenskappe en gesinne wat deur MIV/vigs geraak word, het minder tyd, energie en finansiële hulpbronne beskikbaar om op voorkomende gesondheidsorg te fokus. Benewens die impak op gesondheidstatus, word kinders se omstandighede ook as gevolg van MIV/vigsverwante probleme bemoeilik. Dit sluit verhoogde gesinsarmoede, 'n hoer risiko van verlating en weeslating, geforseerde migrasie, onterwing, sielkundige trauma, uitsluiting en diskriminasie, en fisiese en seksuele mishandeling in. Die derde vlaag van die epidemie, welke vlaag nou betree word, word gekenmerk deur 'n ontsettende hoe sterftesyfer, 'n ontploffing in die getal sorgbehoewende en weeskinders en 'n verhoging in menslike pyn en lyding. Die reg speel 'n baie belangrike rol in die beperking van hierdie impak van die MIV/vigs-pandemie op die lewens van alle kinders. MIV/vigs-reg is in die proses van evolusie of vorming en reeds bestaande teorieë kan aangewend word ten einde sekere vrae te beantwoord en probleme daaromtrent aan te spreek. Tog is daar 'n dringende behoefte aan MIV/vigs-spesifieke wetgewing en teorieë ten einde die impak van die pandemie op alle vlakke suksesvol te beheer. Verder het die Kinderreg so 'n mate van ontwikkeling bereik dat daar algemeen aanvaar word dat kinders 'n spesiale belangegroep binne die gemeenskap vorm. Die regsreëls met betrekking tot kinders verander gedurig en is ook nie geskik om volgens die tradisionele wyse, as privaat- of publiekreg, geklassifiseer te word nie. In die hieropvolgende proefskrif word die impak van MIV/vigs op sekere publiekregtelike, maar oorwegend privaatregtelike aspekte van die Suid-Afiikaanse kinderreg ondersoek, sowel as enkele metodes waarop die reg moontlik hierdie impak kan absorbeer en hanteer. Daar word ook in aparte hoofstukke na die impak van MIV/vigs op die lewens van kinders. sorgbehoewende kinders, egskeiding en die ouer-kind-verhouding verwys The HIV/aids pandemic in South Africa - one of the worst in the world - does not seem to be decreasing. Millions of children have already been either orphaned or heavily affected by the numerous impacts on families and communities associated with it. The epidemic brings on an ever-increasing mortality rate and the extreme burden thereof weighs down heavily on HIV-positive as well as HIV-negative individuals. Traditional support networks are further being heavily burdened or perish entirely. Families and communities lose their economical, social and cultural viability. The pandemic threatens, especially among the poorest, the health, wellbeing and rights of infants, children and young people. The impact of HIV/aids is to a great extent the result of the fact that some children and their families do not have sufficient access to a healthy environment and good health. Governments, communities and families affected by HIV/aids have less time, energy and financial resources available in order to enable them to focus on preventive healthcare. In addition to the impact on health status, children's circumstances are also being encumbered by HIV/aids-related problems, including family poverty, a higher risk of being abandoned or orphaned, forced migration, disinheritance, psychological trauma, ostracism and discrimination and physical and sexual abuse. The third wave of the epidemic, which wave is presently being experienced, is characterised by a high mortality rate, an increasing amount of children in need of care and orphaned children and an increase in human pain and suffering. The law plays an important role in the limitation of the impact of the HIV/aids pandemic on the lives of children. HIV/aids law is in the process of evolution or forming and existing theories can be used in order to answer certain questions and address certain issues relating to it. However, there is an urgent need for HIV/aids-specific legislation and theories in order to successfully manage the impact of the pandemic on all levels. Child law has also reached such an extent of development that children is now viewed as a special interest group within the community. The legal principles regarding children change constantly and cannot be classified in the traditional way, which is either as private or public law. In this thesis the impact of HIV/aids on certain aspects of the public and private law pertaining to children is examined. Ways in which the impact can be absorbed and managed by the law is also examined. The impact of HIV/aids on divorce, the parent-child relationship, children in need of care, and the impact of HIV/aids on the lives of children is examined in separate chapters. / Jurisprudence / LL. D.