The National Commissioner of the Department of Correctional Services (DCS), Mr Makgothi Thobakgale, has voiced concern about guardians failing to fulfil their responsibilities towards parolees. His warning followed an unannounced monitoring operation in Mamelodi, Gauteng, on Friday night, 22 August 2025.

Commissioner Thobakgale emphasised that successful reintegration depends heavily on the oversight of guardians, urging both families and communities to take a more active role in ensuring compliance with parole conditions.

“Guardians play a crucial role in helping parolees reintegrate successfully. They are expected to provide consistent guidance and ensure adherence to parole conditions. Unfortunately, some parents become overly defensive when violations occur, while others are unaware of the parolees’ whereabouts or allow them out at night, contrary to their restrictions. Community members must also step in and report violations,” he said.

The Mamelodi operation formed part of a nationwide monitoring campaign focusing on parolees convicted of Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (GBVF). Conducted under the Women’s Month programme, the initiative seeks to curb reoffending.

“We focused on Mamelodi due to the high GBVF-related parole caseload. It is critical to ensure that these individuals do not reoffend,” Thobakgale explained.

The joint operation, carried out with the Emergency Support Team (EST), South African Police Service (SAPS), and Gauteng Crime Prevention Wardens, involved visits to 44 parolees’ homes.

As a result, Community Corrections officials were instructed to re-educate guardians on their duties, with the possibility of appointing alternative guardians where necessary. Parolees who were absent during visits were issued warnings, and Thobakgale cautioned that repeated breaches could lead to parole being revoked.

One parolee was returned immediately to a correctional facility after being found consuming alcohol, a clear violation of his parole conditions.