The Johannesburg High Court has struck down a parent’s common law defense of “reasonable and moderate chastisement”. This means that if you now use any form of physical discipline to correct your child – no matter how light or well intentioned – you will potentially face a charge of assault and a criminal record for child abuse. This can have disastrous and life-long consequences.
While many parents may choose not to use any form of physical discipline, we contend that more parenting tools are needed, not fewer. FOR SA has therefore taken the decision to take this judgment on appeal to the Constitutional Court: