Question NW169 to the Minister of Justice and Correctional Services
17 March 2023 - NW169
Pambo, Mr V to ask the Minister of Justice and Correctional Services
What (a)(i) total number of prisoners have been sentenced to life imprisonment since 01 January 2014 and (ii) total number of them have been released on parole to date, (b)(i) is the average number of custodial years that those imprisoned to life spend in jail and (ii) number of prisoners who are currently in jail have been incarcerated for more than 25 years?
Reply:
(a)(i) The total number of inmates sentenced to life imprisonment since 01 January 2014 are as follows:
|
REGION |
TOTAL |
|
Eastern Cape |
1 368 |
|
Gauteng |
1 715 |
|
KwaZulu-Natal |
1 747 |
|
Limpopo / Mpumalanga North West |
2 085 |
|
Free State / Northern Cape |
1 012 |
|
Western Cape |
523 |
|
GRAND TOTAL |
8 450 |
(a)(ii) None of the abovementioned were released as they have not reached the Minimum Detention Period at this point to qualify for consideration, however 04 were released on medical parole.
(b)(i) The average number of custodial years incarcerated in a correctional facility are as follows:
|
CATEGORIES OF LIFERS |
VAN VUUREN JUDGMENT |
VAN WYK JUDGMENT |
PHAAHLA JUDGMENT |
CURRENT PAROLE DISPENSATION |
|
Sentence Date |
Before 01 March 1994 |
From 01 March 1994 to 30 September 2004 |
Committed offences before 01 March 1994 and sentenced before 01 October 2004 (Van Vuuren) Committed offences before 01 October 2004 and sentenced after 01 October 2004 (Van Wyk) |
Committed offences from 0 October 2004 and sentenced from 01 October 2004. |
|
Minimum Detention Period |
10 years but not to be placed on parole before serving minimum of 15 years |
20 years minus credits (-6 years & 8months) = 13years and 4 months Minus 2005 amnesty (6months) 2012 (6 months) = 12 years and 4 months |
Depending on applicable parole dispensation (Van Vuuren/ Van Wyk) |
25 Years minus 2005 amnesty (6months) and 2012 (6 months) if benefitted. |
|
Parole Period |
03 years |
Parole for life |
Depending on applicable parole dispensation (Van Vuuren/ Van Wyk) |
Parole for life |
(b)(ii) A total of 53 prisoners are currently incarcerated for more than 25 years.
END