Question NW13 to the Minister of Justice and Correctional Services
12 July 2019 - NW13
van der Merwe, Ms LL to ask the Minister of Justice and Correctional Services
What is the current total number of (a) foreign nationals and (b) undocumented migrants in South African prisons?
Reply:
a) There is a current total of 13 437 foreign nationals incarcerated in South African Correctional Centres.
b) Currently there is a total of 2 052 undocumented migrants/illegal immigrants incarcerated in South African Correctional Centres.
Foreign nationals, whether documented or undocumented, upon receiving custodial sentence are expected to serve their sentences in correctional centres within the Republic of South Africa (RSA) due to the fact that there is currently no Inter-State Transfer Agreement with other Countries. They are considered for placement after serving the prescribed minimum detention or non-parole period and if placement is approved, undocumented foreign nationals are deported back to their country of origin after Department of Home Affairs (DHA) has finalised deportation process. The documented foreign nationals are allowed to serve parole within the Republic of South Africa if their permits are not revoked by DHA.