Question NW2348 to the Minister of Justice and Correctional Services
18 November 2016 - NW2348
Selfe, Mr J to ask the Minister of Justice and Correctional Services
(1)Whether a certain offender ( Mr Raphel Nyamazane), who escaped from the Barberton TB Specialised Hospital in Mpumalanga after being incarcerated at the Barberton Maximum Correctional Centre for 22 years for rhino poaching and related crimes, has been apprehended; if not, (a) why not and (b) what action is his department taking in this regard; if so, on what date was the specified offender apprehended after his escape attempt; (2) Whether his department has taken any action against the correctional service officers who were on guard at the specified hospital when the escape occurred; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details; (3) (a) how many offenders detained in medical facilities outside of their detention facilities have (i) attempted to escape and/or (ii) succeeded in escaping in each of the past five years, (b) how long did it take to apprehend each of the offenders in each case and (c) what action was taken against the correctional service officers who were on guard in each case?
Reply:
1. The escapee has not yet been rearrested.
(1)(a)(b) The Department of Correctional Services in conjunction with the SAPS are currently following up on all possible leads to affect the re-arrest of the escapee and will do everything possible to ensure his re-arrest as soon as possible.
2. Yes. The two (2) officials who were on guard, are currently on suspension pending the finalization of the investigation.
3. (a) (i) The following inmates attempted to escape from medical facilities outside of their detention facilities over the past 5 years:
Year |
Name of medical facility |
Date of attempted escape |
Number of attempted escapees |
2012/2013 |
Nil |
||
2013/2014 |
Nil |
||
2014/2015 |
Katleho Hospital |
18/01/2015 |
1 |
2015/2016 |
Tambo Memorial Hospital |
01/08/2015 |
1 |
Mohau Hospital |
05/11/2015 |
1 |
|
2016/2017 |
Nil |
(3)(a)(ii)&(b)(c) The following inmates succeeded to escape from medical facilities outside of their detention facilities over the past 5 years:
Year |
Name of medical facility |
Date of escape |
Number of escapees |
Date rearrested |
Disciplinary action against officials |
2012/2013 |
Tambo Memorial Hospital |
17/12/2013 |
1 |
24/12/2013 |
A sanction of two (2) month salary suspension was implemented against 2 officials. |
2013/2014 |
Victoria Public Hospital |
03/03/2014 |
1 |
03/03/2014 |
One official received a final written warning. |
2014/2015 |
Barberton General Hospital |
01/05/2014 |
1 |
01/05/2014 |
Sanction of Final Written Warning against 2 officials. |
Baragwanath Hospital |
27/08/2014 |
1 |
13/06/2015 |
One (1) official was dismissed. |
|
Kimberley hospital |
02/11/2014 |
1 |
Still at large |
One (1) official was suspended for 3 months without salary. |
|
2015/2016 |
Worcester hospital |
02/06/2015 |
1 |
06/06/2015 |
Two (2) officials were charged. Each received a final written warning. |
King Edward hospital |
17/07/2015 |
1 |
Still at large |
Sanctions instituted against one (1) official (1 month suspension with no salary). |
|
2016/2017 |
George Mukhari hospital |
01/05/2016 |
1 |
08/05/2016 |
The official was criminally charged for aiding an escape. |
Tshepong hospital |
13/06/2016 |
1 |
Still at large |
Disciplinary actions are instituted against correctional officials who were on guard but not finalised. |
|
Nelson Mandela Academic hospital |
13/09/2016 |
1 |
Still at large |
Investigation not finalised. |
|
SANTA hospital |
19/10/2016 |
1 |
Still at large |
Investigation still in process. |
|
Victoria Public hospital |
31/10-2016 |
1 |
Still at large |
Investigation still in process. |