Correctional Services Minister Pieter Groenewald has cautioned against granting parole solely as a means to reduce overcrowding in South Africa’s prisons. Responding to a parliamentary question, Groenewald revealed concerning figures showing that more than 18,000 parolees reoffended over the past three years.
Of these, 493 were accused of murder, while 624 faced charges of rape. The most common crimes committed by repeat offenders included theft and housebreaking.
Between 2022 and 2024, more than 46,000 inmates were released on parole, but the department recorded over 28,000 parole violations in the past five years. The majority of these breaches were linked to reoffending, raising questions about the effectiveness of the parole system.
Groenewald stressed that while prison overcrowding remains a major challenge, public safety cannot be compromised. He called for urgent reforms to strengthen parole monitoring, ensure stricter assessments of candidates, and address systemic weaknesses that allow violent offenders back into communities.
The minister warned that without reform, the parole system risks undermining trust in the criminal justice process.
VOC News
Photo: Pixabay
