Share

6 murders, 4 rapes committed by Covid-19 parolees, committee hears

accreditation
0:00
play article
Subscribers can listen to this article
Six murders and four rapes were committed by inmates released in the Covid-19 special parole dispensation.
Six murders and four rapes were committed by inmates released in the Covid-19 special parole dispensation.
iStock
  • A total of 126 of the 13 989 offenders released in the Covid-19 special parole dispensation committed crimes after their release.
  • This includes six murders and four rapes.
  • The Department of Correctional Services considers the special parole a success, "with lessons learnt".

Six murders and four rapes were committed by inmates released in the Covid-19 special parole dispensation.

The Department of Correctional Services briefed the Portfolio Committee on Justice and Correctional Services on Wednesday on the special parole dispensation to deal with Covid-19.

Last year, Justice Minister Ronald Lamola announced that 19 000 inmates who committed non-violent crimes would be released to alleviate overcrowding in prisons during the pandemic.

His deputy, Phathekile Holomisa, told the committee that in the end, only 17 922 offenders qualified for the special parole. By the end of April, 13 989 offenders had been released.

ALSO READ | Covid-19: 152 inmates, 8 officials test positive at Helderstroom Prison

To date, 126 had been "re-admitted" after committing crimes, including six murders and four rapes.  

"There are incidences of parolees committing serious offences after returning to their communities. There are some offenders, who, even after serving sentences of incarceration, repeatedly fail to desist from crime and reintegrate into the community as law-abiding citizens," Chief Deputy Commissioner of Community Corrections Anna Molepo said.  

She said:

One of the reasons why our offenders are re-offending is due to lack of employment. Some of our parolees, due to their criminal record, are struggling to get employment. But we are working with stakeholders to ensure that we facilitate job opportunities for our offenders.

She said other issues included gang activity and offenders losing their support systems. She said they were working with offenders to ensure that their families were involved.

Nonetheless, the department considered the special parole a success, "with lessons learnt".

Molepo said that community correction created a conducive environment for the reintegration of parolees and probationers through supervision, monitoring and rehabilitation and ensured that parolees and probationers complied with the parole conditions.

The department ensured that probationers and parolees complied with their set conditions despite an increase in the caseload of probationers and parolees.


Did you know you can comment on this article? Subscribe to News24 and add your voice to the conversation.
We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()
Voting Booth
Do you think corruption-accused National Assembly Speaker Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula will survive a motion of no confidence against her?
Please select an option Oops! Something went wrong, please try again later.
Results
No, her days are numbered
41% - 240 votes
Yes, the ANC caucus will protect her
59% - 351 votes
Vote
Rand - Dollar
18.97
-0.4%
Rand - Pound
23.97
-0.3%
Rand - Euro
20.52
-0.2%
Rand - Aus dollar
12.35
-0.0%
Rand - Yen
0.13
-0.4%
Platinum
900.15
+0.4%
Palladium
1,000.00
-0.2%
Gold
2,213.87
+0.9%
Silver
24.75
+0.4%
Brent Crude
86.09
-0.2%
Top 40
68,237
+0.8%
All Share
74,414
+0.7%
Resource 10
57,122
+2.6%
Industrial 25
103,714
+0.4%
Financial 15
16,494
-0.2%
All JSE data delayed by at least 15 minutes Iress logo
Editorial feedback and complaints

Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on News24.

LEARN MORE