Dereleen James has responded to criticism after a live-streamed Lentegeur raid drew backlash over the exposure of minors, saying her team acted once the problem was flagged and would tighten its approach, reports Cape {town} Etc.
The ActionSA MP came under fire after she broadcast the operation, which led to six children being removed from what officials described as unsafe conditions.
In comments quoted by the Cape Argus and carried by Cape {town} Etc, James said: ‘I want to acknowledge the honest concerns that we were not careful enough in protecting the identities of the children.’ She added that her team ‘took steps to better safeguard their identities’ and said the incident had shown the need for closer collaboration with the Department going forward.
Cape {town} Etc reported that the children have since been placed in alternative care and that police have launched a review into the circumstances surrounding the raid.
Responding to the backlash, James defended her actions by urging the public to consider the broader context of the operation. ‘Of course they will go searching for a needle in a haystack,’ she said, explaining that the focus had shifted away from the victims.
She added that ‘a 62-year-old woman and her family were freed from years of abuse’, stressing that the situation involved prolonged domestic violence and trauma affecting an entire street.
Addressing criticism over the visibility of the suspect’s clothing, James said, ‘He kept changing T-shirts throughout the day to avoid being tracked’ and noted that showing what he was wearing was intended to help identify him if he fled. ‘If he tried to run, at least people would recognise what he was wearing,’ she said, maintaining that the priority was to protect those at risk.
She said she remained focused on the children’s safety and added that she was following up ‘serious allegations’ with SAPS, while accusing some of the same people who criticised her raid of trying to block her work. See her latest video update below:
James’s response now adds a measured tone to a story that has already started wide discussion across Cape Town.
Be the first to know – Join our WhatsApp Channel for content worth tapping into! Click here to join!
Also read:
Dereleen James criticised over livestream of raid involving minors
Picture: Dereleen James / Facebook
