Part of the new Children's Act "encourages promiscuity", the Apostolic Faith Mission (AFM) Church said yesterday.

Part of the new Children's Act "encourages promiscuity", the Apostolic Faith Mission (AFM) Church said yesterday.

"The challenge to build the moral fibre of our nation has been dealt another low blow by an aspect of the new Children's Act that no one may refuse to sell or distribute free condoms to a child who is over the age of 12 years," AFM president Isak Burger said.

It undermined basic parental rights for a child over 12 to request contraceptions without parental consent.

"These sections are totally unacceptable and undermine everything the church, religious institutions and others are trying to do to lift the morality of the nation.

"They actually encourage promiscuity and the risk of contracting HIV and Aids. It encourages a child to go behind their parents' back to get contraceptive aids."

While the AFM welcomed the broad intent of the act, it was "extremely disappointing that our legislators paid little regard to the crucial value of sexual morality", Burger said. - Sapa