Key Takeaways
- The issue of parole and bail is a contentious topic in South Africa, with a significant number of parolees reoffending after their release.
- According to the Department of Correctional Services, for every 10 prisoners granted parole in the last three years, 3.8 parolees returned to prison.
- In the last three financial years, 46,627 offenders were granted parole, with 18,052 parolees returning to prison, including 624 for rape, 493 for murder, and 3,118 for robbery and theft-related charges.
- Former police minister Bheki Cele has called for a rethink of the laws governing parole and bail, citing the high rate of reoffending among parolees and the need to protect victims and witnesses.
- Cele has also highlighted the issue of corruption in the bail system, with some magistrates being unsympathetic to the work of the police.
Introduction to the Controversy
The subject of parole and bail has always been a contentious issue, and it is reignited with every parolee who reoffends. Recently, the case of a 22-year-old woman who was murdered by a parolee has brought attention to the issue once again. Former police minister Bheki Cele has spoken out about the problem, saying that the "animal called parole" has struck again. The Department of Correctional Services has revealed that for every 10 prisoners granted parole in the last three years, a ratio of 3.8 parolees returned to prison.
Parolee Statistics
In the last three financial years, 46,627 offenders were granted parole, with 18,052 parolees returning to prison. Of the 18,052 parole violators, 6,061 were rearrested in the last three years; 624 for rape, 493 for murder, and 3,118 for robbery and theft-related charges. These statistics are alarming and highlight the need for a re-evaluation of the parole system. The high rate of reoffending among parolees is a concern for the safety of the community and the effectiveness of the justice system.
A Recent Case
A recent case that has brought attention to the issue is the murder of a young woman by her boyfriend, who was out on parole at the time of the crime. The 35-year-old man, Mabhuti Mabra Mbili, was sentenced to life in prison for the murder of his girlfriend. The case was particularly gruesome, with the victim’s body being found decapitated and the head severed from the torso. The prosecution argued that life imprisonment was the only appropriate sentence, given the brutal nature of the crime and the accused’s previous convictions for murder and robbery.
Bheki Cele’s Comments
Former police minister Bheki Cele has spoken out about the issue of parole and bail, calling for a rethink of the laws governing these systems. Cele appeared before parliament’s ad hoc committee investigating allegations by KwaZulu-Natal police commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi in October. He said that parole and bail went against the work of the police and that the laws needed to be re-evaluated. Cele also highlighted the issue of corruption in the bail system, with some magistrates being unsympathetic to the work of the police.
The Need for Reform
Cele’s comments highlight the need for reform in the parole and bail systems. The high rate of reoffending among parolees is a concern for the safety of the community, and the issue of corruption in the bail system needs to be addressed. The laws governing parole and bail need to be re-evaluated to ensure that they are effective in protecting victims and witnesses. Cele’s call for a rethink of the laws governing parole and bail is a step in the right direction, and it is hoped that the government will take his comments seriously and take action to address the issue.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the issue of parole and bail is a contentious topic in South Africa, with a significant number of parolees reoffending after their release. The case of a young woman who was murdered by her boyfriend, who was out on parole at the time of the crime, has brought attention to the issue once again. Former police minister Bheki Cele has called for a rethink of the laws governing parole and bail, citing the high rate of reoffending among parolees and the need to protect victims and witnesses. It is hoped that the government will take Cele’s comments seriously and take action to address the issue, ensuring that the parole and bail systems are effective in protecting the community and upholding justice.