Marginalized Knowledge: An Agenda for Indigenous Knowledge Development and Integration with Other Forms of Knowledge

Juvenile offending

The most commonly committed crimes among the sample of juveniles diverted to NICRO by Durban (and surrounding areas) courts appear to be that of theft (219 or 79.6%). Nineteen cases of shoplifting (4.73%) were also recorded (Table 2). Drug-related offences accounted for 19 (6.91%) of the cases, and housebreaking for 5 (1.82%). Relatively small incidences of vandalism, pick-pocketing, mugging, assault and gangsterism were also observed (Table 2). Since a large number of juvenile offenders were scholars, according to Vedder as cited by Cronje, Van der Walt, Retief & Naude (1987:185) dislike of school that results in irregular attendance or even non-attendance, may be regarded a major contributory factor to antisocial behaviour among juveniles. Individuals, including children, steal because they want to satisfy their physiological need for survival. Thirteen juveniles (4.73%), apparently from low-income households, had shoplifted. According to Kratcoski and Kratcoski (1990:54;161), in poverty and delinquency theory, ( not validated) youth who have less interest in school or who realise they are not capable of achieving their goals in life, are likely to develop various deviant behaviour characteristics like engaging in activities that produce immediate ‘kicks’ or ‘gratification’, example drug-related offences. Use of drugs in 19 cases (6.91%) is indisputably related to the physical and psychological changes, needs and demands associated with acceptance by friends, desire for adventure, peer group relationships, etc.
Diversion

The primary aim of diversion revolves around rehabilitation by means of turning juvenile offenders away from the formal criminal justice system. Diversion takes many forms and it requires the juvenile offender to acknowledge that he or she did commit the offence and take responsibility for his or her behaviour. Of the initial 275 cases diverted to NICRO, 240 (87.3%) were accepted onto some programmes by this organisation. Most of the diverted juveniles were first time offenders who, after having been apprehended and diverted to NICRO, showed remorse after continual observation over a period of time and accepted responsibility for their deviant actions. Fourteen (5.1%) refused to accept responsibility, while 4 (1.5%) identified as children in need of care were referred to probation officers. Two (0.7%) did not want to co-operate with NICRO, while another one’s (0.4%) offence was too serious to warrant diversion. Fourteen (5.1%) cases of alcohol dependency were referred to Alcohol Anonymous for rehabilitation.

Allocation to the different treatment programmes commenced as follows: Youth Empowerment Scheme (YES) - 209 (76.0%), Pre-Trial Community Service (PTCS) - 19 (6.9%), Individual Counseling - 2 (0.7%), Combination of Programmes - 10 (3.6%). Thirty-five (12.7%) were rejected by NICRO.
For the juvenile to be accepted to NICRO it is imperative that the accused admits guilt on the charges otherwise he or she is not suitable and the case should proceed to court where the accused will have the opportunity to state his case.