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[110]
At the children's court inquiry, the court must determine whether the parent is fit to
have custody of the child in terms of Section 14 (14) referred to earlier. This would
determine whether :
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the child has no parent or guardian ;
the child has a parent or guardian who is unable or unfit to have custody
of the child in that he either ;
is mentally ill to such a degree that he is uoable to provide for the
physicaI. mental or social well-being of the child;
has assaulted or ill-treated the child or allowed him to be assaulted or
ill-treated ;
has caused or conduced to the seduction, abduction or prostitution of
the child or the commission by the child of immoral acts ;
displays habits and behaviour which may seriously injure the physical,
mental or social well-being of the child ;
fails to maintain the child adequately ;
neglects the child or allows him to be neglected ;
cannot control the child properly, so as to ensure proper behaviour such
as regular school attendance; and
has no visible means of support.
As can be noted above, emphasis in Section 14 (14) is more on the parent than on the
child. This sometimes creates problems for social workers when dealing with abused