By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
The Department of Correctional Services (DCS) has rejected the report that it has lost track of the absconded parolees and probationers, including violent and high-risk offenders.
According to amaBhungane Centre for Investigative Journalism, almost 28 000 parolees have absconded, with the DCS unable to trace their whereabouts.
The DCS national spokesperson Singabakho Nxumalo says, while it acknowledges public interest in parole supervision and public safety, these matters must be approached with balance, context and factual accuracy.
“Several cases referenced in article had already been publicly addressed through media engagements, operational updates and criminal justice processes involving law enforcement agencies. Suggestions that the Department has abandoned the tracing of absconders are therefore incorrect, says Nxumalo.
DCS maintains active tracking and tracing capabilities in all regions and no longer uses “archived absconders” as an inactive category. Dedicated regional teams continue to strengthen monitoring and re-apprehension efforts. Therefore, any suggestion that the Department has abandoned efforts to trace absconders is incorrect, added Nxumalo.
Parolees and probationers are subjected to various forms of supervision, including office reporting, home visits, employment verification and rehabilitation interventions based on individual risk profiles.
In cases where the parolees cannot be traced, says Nxumalo, it is often the absence of guardians or certain information not properly communicated to the communities to report the parolees should they need help.
Absconding remains a criminal offence and every absconder is immediately reported to the South African Police Service (SAPS) to support tracing and investigation processes, Nxumalo asserts.
The Department acknowledges operational challenges within Community Corrections, including the budget cuts over the years, resource limitations, difficult terrain, security risks in high-crime areas and increasing caseloads. These challenges continue to be addressed through operational reviews, budget reprioritisation and collaboration with security stakeholders.
Nxumalo says DCS rejects suggestions that parolees are left unmonitored or that systems do not exist to address absconding.
South Africa’s parole system remains an important component of offender rehabilitation,reintegration and overcrowding reduction. The inmate population currently stands at 168 795, comprising 106 280 sentenced inmates, 62 092 remand detainees and 423 state patients, against approved bed space of 107 067, resulting in overcrowding of 58%. In addition, 52 772 parolees and probationers are under Community Corrections supervision.