PC Correctional Services: Discussion on recent media reports; Report on Judicial Inspectorate for Correctional Services

Meeting report

Current Matters
The Chairperson raised the issue of a young boy in Krugersdorp who was wrongfully arrested. The boy had been an awaiting trial prisoner for 8 months in Sun City and was raped while incarcerated.

The Chairperson praised the media for putting the spotlight on the Department of Correctional Services but was concerned that the Committee was not alerted about the incident sooner. He felt embarrassed that he found out about the matter through the morning newspaper.

The Chairperson noted that even though the incident involved the police, they were happening in the facilities of the Department of Correctional Services.

The Chairperson suggested the Minister be approached and brief the Committee on such matters. Instead of the Commissioner briefing the Committee, the Minister should do so herself.

Ms M Phaliso (ANC) felt that the Committee should be briefed about such incidences instead of hearing about them through the media. The correct authorities should be held accountable for these and other such incidents and the Committee must be made aware of the processes dealing with the officials.

The Committee Members agreed.

Mr S Abram (ANC) said that the issue of police cells was the responsibility of the South African Police Services (SAPS) and it was only when the person in question was moved to the holding cell at Correctional Services did it become the responsibility of the Department. He noted a case of a woman being mistreated by cell mates and foreigners being made to show police their ID’s when accused of being in the country illegally. He compared this to the apartheid dompas system. He suggested that the Justice, Crime Prevention and Security (JCPS) cluster should look into this matter.

Mr L Max (DA) strongly felt that such instances of abuse of power by the police authorities needed to be looked into. He especially referred to the happenings in police cells over weekends and the shocking incidents occurring in those holding cells during that time. He called for action to be taken. He proposed that the Department organise an oversight visit to a police station together with other cluster members like the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development and the SAPS. The result of the visit would be discussed and used in a proposal for solutions moving forward.

Mr V Ndlovu (IFP) raised a point of protocol and remarked that the Minister had failed to brief the Committee. He noted that the Chairperson was the vital link between the executive and the Committee and that this relationship needed to be effective. The executive and the Committee should be working together on this matter. Even a simple SMS will do to officially inform the Chairperson on recent occurrences.

The Chairperson stated that this matter would be raised formally with the Minister. The Committee needed to be kept informed even if it was via the committee secretary, a member or himself. Had it not been for the newspaper, he would not have knowledge of the incident. Picking things up through the media was not acceptable. A discussion with the Minister especially about recent developments covered in the media needs to be organised. The Committee Secretary would organise this.

Planned Oversight visit
The Chairperson recommended that the Committee should visit a large police centre. He suggested a centre somewhere in Johannesburg and to formally invite, at least, the Department of Justice and Police. The Committee Secretary was asked to organise this.

Mr Abram requested that the Department of Home Affairs also be invited as the problem of refugees and their mishandling by the police on occasions was a matter of concern.

The Chairperson suggested that two days be taken for this oversight visit to meet with all the relevant departments.

Mr Max said that the Committee needed to get hold of the statistics of people detained over weekends and not successfully prosecuted.

The Chairperson said that the Chairperson of Police Portfolio Committee would be contacted to obtain this information.

Judicial Inspectorate for Correctional Services Draft Report
The Chairperson asked if there were any further corrections to be made to the draft apart from those already noted from pages one to seven.

The Members state that there were no further corrections.

The whole report was accepted and adopted by the Committee.

Condolences
The Committee expressed their condolences about the news of the passing of the mother of the committee researcher who passed away the previous night.

The meeting was adjourned.