Parents are now in a difficult situation: Freedom of Religion SA
The organisation that appealed the high court judgement that made spanking children illegal , says parents are now faced with a dilemma, after the Constitutional Court upheld the ruling.
Freedom of Religion South Africa had approached the Concourt - arguing that the ruling would see well-meaning parents being made criminals.
READ: ConCourt upholds judgement outlawing spanking
It argued that reasonable and moderate chastisement of children as a form of physical discipline by their parents should be allowed.
However, on Wednesday, Chief Justice Mogoeng Mogoeng ruled that this common law defence was invalid and unconstitutional.
READ: Darren Maule shares his view on ConCourt's ruling against spanking children
Freedom of Religion SA's Executive Director, Michael Swain says parents are now in a difficult situation.
"Parents have the right to bring up their children according to thier own value systems and some parents believe sincerely that some form of discipline might even be arguably mandated. They are now faced between a choice between following their faith or disobeying the law of the country."