In a recent inquiry by member of Parliament Magashule Gana, the Minister of Correctional Services Dr Pieter Groenewald was asked to address several pressing issues surrounding parole for prisoners serving life sentences. Gana inquired into the number of life sentence prisoners released on parole, the reasons behind certain parole cancellations, and potential changes to parole legislation.
The Minister provided details on the number of life sentence prisoners who were released on parole in the past few financial years. In the 2022/23 financial year, 362 offenders were released, while in the 2023/24 financial year, the number increased to 703 offenders. For the 2024/25 financial year, 24 offenders were released in the second quarter, and 7 offenders in the third quarter. This shows a noticeable drop in recent months, indicating a tightening of parole decisions.
The Minister further addressed the number of life sentence parolees whose parole was subsequently cancelled. In the 2022/23 financial year, 17 parolees had their parole cancelled, while in the 2023/24 financial year, this number increased to 19 cancellations. In the 2024/25 financial year, 6 parolees had their parole cancelled in the second quarter, and 12 in the third quarter. These cancellations demonstrate that parole decisions are continuously monitored and adjusted based on evolving concerns.
The reasons behind the cancellation of parole for two high-profile offenders, Mr. Frans du Toit and Mr. Theuns Kruger, were also discussed. Both offenders had been granted parole in 2023 but later had their parole revoked. The cancellation was due to several factors, including the failure to fully consider the judge’s sentencing remarks, which indicated life sentences without the option of parole. Psychological evaluations of the offenders revealed concerns that they might pose a risk to community safety. Additionally, the victims or complainants were not involved in the parole hearings, as required by the Correctional Services Act, which mandates their participation in the process. Both victims brought motions in the high court to challenge the parole decisions. The Minister clarified that there was no public pressure to cancel the parole, affirming that the decision to revoke parole is entirely within the Minister’s authority under the Correctional Services Act.
Currently, there are 13 parolees under consideration for the cancellation of their parole. These cases are being carefully reviewed to ensure that any parole decisions made align with the principles of justice and community safety.
The Minister also highlighted his intention to revise the parole system, which was first introduced in 2004 and is based on a model developed in 1997. He noted that the system is now more than 20 years old and in need of review. In his 2024 budget vote speech, the Minister emphasized that the review process should be expedited to create a parole system that is better suited to the needs of South Africa’s society.
To support this review, the Department of Correctional Services is conducting a baseline study of the current parole system. The findings from this study will guide the necessary changes and improvements to the system, with particular focus on offenders serving life sentences, those with determinate sentences, and those under community corrections. The goal is to create a more effective, credible, and future-proof parole system that can better serve the needs of the country for years to come.
