This, as 19 000 inmates across the country will be able to apply for the Covid-19 parole dispensation, subject to conditions set by the correctional supervision and parole board, in order to prevent the spread of coronavirus infections.

Addressing the media on Friday, Justice and Correctional Service Minister, Ronald Lamola, stated that anyone across the country who qualifies for parole, including offenders in the Northern Cape with a low overcrowding rate, will be eligible to apply.

He said this will not only enable the department to establish more isolation facilities but will also enable them to create quarantine space in case prisoners get infected.

He highlighted that prisoners, who are serving sentences for sexual offences, child abuse, murder, attempted murder, armed robbery, treason, terrorism, those sentenced to life imprisonment, and offenders declared as dangerous by the courts, will be amongst those excluded from the Covid-19 parole dispensation.

Lamola further indicated that former professional sprinter, Oscar Pistorius, who was found guilty of the murder of his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp, and Janusz Walus, who was convicted for the murder of struggle stalwart Chris Hani, will not be eligible for parole.

He further highlighted that offenders would not automatically be granted parole and that applications will be processed by parole boards on a case by case basis.

OFM News