Police are sifting through the records of around 200 prisoners to be released in the Grahamstown area over the next few weeks, including a man whom they say has robbed several businesses at gunpoint. These prisoners to be released, as well as parolees or probationers whose criminal records will be cleared, are among around 35 000 offenders who are going to benefit nationwide.
Police are sifting through the records of around 200 prisoners to be released in the Grahamstown area over the next few weeks, including a man whom they say has robbed several businesses at gunpoint. These prisoners to be released, as well as parolees or probationers whose criminal records will be cleared, are among around 35 000 offenders who are going to benefit nationwide.
This comes after President Jacob Zuma's Freedom Day call earlier this year for the remission of sentences to alleviate overcrowding in South African prisons, including 35 prisons in the Eastern Cape. In addition to the estimated 3 500 Eastern Cape prisoners on probation and parole, the provincial correctional services department also announced that over the next few weeks, prisoners who qualify for the remission process are going to be released.
Nkosinathi Breakfast, provisional commissioner of the department said the department had cleared the records of convicted offenders who were out on probation and parole. Due to the President’s remission process, their term has expired and now they are free citizens,” Breakfast said.
The department said it would release offenders stage by stage, beginning with prisoners under the age of 21, women who have been convicted and elderly or disabled prisoners. This was followed by prisoners serving short to long term sentences.
The majority of the criminals being released have been convicted of petty crimes and police have been notified and asked to keep an eye on things. Correctional services assure the public that extensive safety measures have been put in place. “The process has been thoroughly planned and all safety measures have been implemented,” Breakfast said.
How much this will affect Grahamstown is still uncertain but local police are examining all the documents received from correctional services. According to Grahamstown police spokesperson Captain Mali Govender, approximately 200 prisoners from the area will be released. Their crimes range from petty theft to more serious charges like robbery and aggravated assault.
"The disappointing thing is that one of our biggest repeat offenders, who has robbed numerous businesses and spaza shops by gunpoint will be released. We worked hard to put this man behind bars," said Govender.
In the meantime, police will be on high alert and will be monitoring all the released prisoners, but they urge the community to be vigilant and cautious. We will have to educate the community to exercise control and caution and we will have to alert all businesses. "If anyone sees anything suspicious then they should contact the police immediately," added Govender.
At the moment, police cannot say exactly who will be released, but Govender warned the community to not take the law into their own hands. "We understand that the situation is less than ideal, but taking justice into your own hands is wrong and we will not hesitate to take the necessary action."
DA has expressed their concern at the process and said that it is a slap in the face to victims of crime. “Prisoners should serve out their release”, said DA spokesperson for safety and security Bobby Stevenson.
How you can protect yourself – advice from SAPS spokesperson Captain Mali Govender
Once the prisoners are released, try and find out who they are and what crimes they committed.
Do not approach them or take the law into your own hands.
Be cautious and ensure that these people do not pose a danger to you or your family.
Be careful about the information that you give to convicted criminals.
If you see them do anything suspicious, contact the police immediately.
According to correctional services, the community should remain calm and not panic.
Businesses should also be cautious and immediately alert police about any suspicious actions.
Source: Grahamstown SAPS spokesperson Captain Mali Govender
Prisoners who won't be released
According to a media statement from the Justice Crime Prevention and Security Cluster, with regards to the special remission of prisoners, the following kinds of offenders will not be granted an early release:
-Perpetrators of aggressive crimes such as murder, robbery, child abuse, kidnapping and serious public violence and assault.
-Perpetrators sentenced for firearm related crimes
-Perpetrators of sexual crimes such as rape, child pornography, incest, sodomy and bestiality.
-Perpetrators of drug-related crimes.
