Pretoria – Justice and Correctional Services Minister Michael Masutha says it is crucial that victims of crime be involved in parole processes.
Addressing the media in Cape Town, ahead of his department’s Budget Vote this afternoon, Minister Masutha said it is imperative that victims be prepared and be involved when the perpetrator is to be released on parole.
Minister Masutha called on the victims to participate in the processes so that they are not surprised when they see the perpetrators on the streets.
“We can’t talk about perpetrators without talking about the victims. Victims meeting with the perpetrators are very critical,” he said.
Last week, Minister Masutha denied former apartheid-era police colonel, Eugene de Kock, parole.
De Kock was sentenced to 212 years in jail in 1996 for the murders he committed during the apartheid years.
According to Minister Masutha, not all the due processes were followed properly, as families of the victims were not informed or consulted about De Kock’s parole application, as required by law.
“I am of the view that it is fair and in the interests of the victims and the broader community that the families of the victims are afforded an opportunity to practise in the parole consideration process.
“I have not approved parole at this stage but directed that a further profile be resubmitted not later than 12 months,” he said at the time.
He explained that parole is an internationally accepted mechanism that allows for the conditional release of offenders from a correctional centre into the community prior to the expiration of their sentences of imprisonment as imposed by the court.
“It is also important to note that offenders do not have a right to be placed on parole, but merely a right to be considered for parole after having served the minimum required period for parole,” Minister Masutha said at the time.
De Kock is serving sentences, which include life for the murders of Japie Kereng Maponya and five other people from Nelspruit -- Oscar Mxolisi Ntshota, Glenack Masilo Mama, Lawrence Jacey Nyelende, Khona Gabela and Tisetso Leballo – known as the Nelspruit Five.
Minister Masutha said the level of involvement of victims in parole processes was increasing.
He said for the 2014/15 financial year, the department has been allocated R19 billion which will be increased to R20 billion.
About R10 million will be used for setting up video conference facilities in all the Correctional Centres.
This, according to Minister Masutha, will enable community participation in parole processes, among other things.
Mangaung Correctional Centre
With regard to the department withdrawing from the Mangaung Correctional Centre, Minister Masutha said the process will be done in phases with the first batch of officials expected to leave by the end of July 2014.
“The process is being handled very well,” he said.
Last week, the minister announced that it will withdraw from Mangaung Correctional Centre, outside Bloemfontein, after taking over management of the privately run prison last year.
The department said it had succeeded in stabilising the situation at the centre and in restoring effective control, discipline and rehabilitation programmes.
According to a report on security company G4S's running of the prison, there had been violations of its contract with the department and the Correctional Services Act.
The department took over management of the privately run maximum security prison from G4S in October last year.
Some of the incidents that preceded the takeover included riots, hostage taking, stabbing of officials and the dismissal of over 330 officials who were replaced by insufficiently trained officials. One of the main reasons was a concern for the safety of inmates and staff.
This led to the department increasing supervision of privately run correctional centres in the country to ensure improved compliance with contracts and legislation.
Overcrowding at Correctional Centres
The minister also indicated that his department will be dealing with overcrowding at all the Correctional Centres throughout the country.
“We will be looking at alternative sentencing among other things,” he said. – SAnews.gov.za
