Waterkloof Two to remain in custody

Wednesday, February 19, 2014

Pretoria - The Department of Correctional Services (DCS) says offenders Frikkie du Preez and Christoff Becker will remain in custody, pending a review of their parole.

The two parolees were re-arrested on Sunday, following the publication of a video which depicts them as allegedly celebrating in a correctional centre.

The two are part of the Waterkloof Four -- along with Reinach Tiedt and Gert van Schalkwyk -- who were sentenced to 12 years in custody for murdering a homeless person in Waterkloof.

They were released on parole on 11 February for good behaviour.

Following a decision of the Supervisory Committee, Du Preez and Becker will appear before the Correctional Supervision and Parole Board (CSPB) of the Kgosi Mampuru II Correctional Centre for a review of their parole.

On average, 64 offenders are granted parole every day in South Africa. In addition to the country’s 156 939 inmates, 65 931 offenders are outside correctional centres living in their respective communities.

Of the 65 931 offenders, 48 716 are parolees, 15 491 are probationers (serving non-custodial sentences) and 1 724 are awaiting-trial. Compliance with parole conditions currently stands at 98.4%.

Meanwhile, Correctional Services Minister Sibusiso Ndebele has warned that anarchy at any correctional centre will not be tolerated.

“Anarchy at any correctional centre will not be tolerated, and any official or offender found guilty of any such offence will face the full might of the law.  

“As DCS, we will fight fraud and corruption with vigour. As part of the department’s anti-corruption strategy, since 2009/10, more than 171 DCS officials were dismissed, demoted or suspended for various offences related to fraud and corruption,” he said.

Correctional Services has made significant strides from the inherited prison system prior to 1994.

According to the Public Service Commission Report for 2011/12, DCS was evaluated as the third best institution in dealing with fraud and corruption. – SAnews.gov.za