Latest news with #KgomotsoAntheaRamolobeng
IOL News
2 days ago
- Politics
- IOL News
Proposed bail fund sparks debate among lawmakers and civil society
The proposed Bail Fund seeks to alleviate the plight of low-risk detainees, but experts warn of the need for stringent oversight and community engagement. Image: Independent Newspapers Archives A proposed Bail Fund to assist awaiting trial detainees who cannot afford low bail amounts has drawn mixed reactions from civil society, lawmakers, and justice experts, all of whom broadly support the concept but warn that public safety, accountability, and careful criteria will be critical. The Judicial Inspectorate for Correctional Services (JICS) presented the idea to Parliament's Portfolio Committee on Correctional Services this week, describing the fund as a non-state resource that would provide bail assistance for low-risk detainees. These are individuals who courts have already assessed and are deemed fit for release but who remain incarcerated simply because they cannot afford bail often amounts below R1 000. JICS told MPs that as of June 2025, there were 2 613 detainees in South African correctional centres who had been granted bail under R1 000 but remained behind bars. The inspectorate stated, 'They are prisoners of poverty.' A pilot programme for the fund is set to launch in the Western Cape and will exclude those accused of violent offences, including gender-based violence. Detainees eligible for support will be those deemed not to be a flight risk, not a danger to the public or witnesses, and who have a fixed address. Committee chairperson Kgomotso Anthea Ramolobeng however said in some instances it was not a question of affordability, but rather families had chosen not to pay even low bail amounts. 'Our impression was that if they were inside a detention centre, they were out of the family's hair. We found that in many cases, families of juvenile detainees refused to pay even low bail, saying the youths had caused too much mischief in the community.' Video Player is loading. 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Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad Loading She stressed that public engagement was needed before the fund could be rolled out nationally. 'It is important to thoroughly engage communities as offenders on bail will have to go back to families and communities.' Civil society group Just Detention International–South Africa (JDI-SA) said the problem of prisoners being unable to avoid bail was widespread. 'Overcrowding is a huge problem in many correctional facilities. We have found, and it has been well documented by both JICS and Department of Correctional Services over the years, that many people in the typically overcrowded awaiting trial facilities are there because they can't afford the bail granted, even when it's a low amount,' said Doreen Gaura of JDI-SA. She argued that the fund could have a significant impact, particularly for those detained for petty offences or juveniles. 'Incarceration is already incredibly traumatising. Many people who suffer sexual abuse behind bars first experience abuse while in police holding or awaiting trial detention,' Gaura said. 'Custodial approaches must ideally be utilised as a last resort. A well-managed Bail Fund would alleviate the incredibly dehumanising and volatile conditions of awaiting trial detention and contribute to reducing the country's high recidivism rates,' she added. However, JDI-SA cautioned that the fund would require rigorous oversight. 'A governing oversight structure comprised of vetted, diverse, and representative experts, as well as an accountability framework, would help ensure the fund is not misused,' Gaura said. DA spokesperson on correctional services, Janho Engelbrecht, said the party supported the idea in principle, but insisted that 'implementation must be guided by clear policy, stringent oversight, and transparency.' 'We agree that individuals accused of violent crimes or gender-based violence should be excluded from benefiting from such a fund. However, further safeguards should be considered including prior convictions, flight risk, and community impact,' Engelbrecht said. He raised concerns about the fact that the fund will be run outside of government and proposed that the fund be independently administered, 'with multi-sectoral representation, including civil society, the judiciary, correctional services, and Parliament. Regular audits, public reporting, and an accessible complaint mechanism are essential.' Engelbrecht said reintegration efforts must include community education, victim support, and mediation as appropriate.' Security and justice researcher David Bruce of the Institute for Security Studies said he trusted that JICS had thoroughly considered the proposal and its risks. 'I would expect that they are highly attentive to the need to emphasise the overall safety of South Africans,' he said. Bruce highlighted the broader social realities. 'They [JICS] come across far too many cases where people are being incarcerated on petty offences. Many of these people could benefit from help of different kinds, but one thing is not to impose an unnecessary burden on people who already have difficult lives.' He said criteria must be handled carefully, including attention to whether people had access to social support services. 'One of the biggest challenges is the absence of support services for people suffering drug addiction,' Bruce noted. Crime expert Chad Thomas added that the Bail Fund must be carefully targeted to prevent abuse. 'First offenders for petty offences should be considered for funding from the Bail Fund, not criminals with prior convictions,' he said. Thomas added that the fund could meaningfully ease pressure on the justice system.
IOL News
3 days ago
- Business
- IOL News
Concerns raised over proposed fund to help poor awaiting-trial prisoners
Portfolio Committee raises concerns over community readiness for proposed bail fund Image: File The Portfolio Committee on Correctional Services has raised concerns about the potential implementation of a Bail Fund for South Africa. Introduced by the Judicial Inspectorate for Correctional Services (JICS), the Bail Fund is designed to assist those awaiting trial who have been granted bail, yet face financial barriers preventing their release. Currently, 2,613 detainees or "prisoners of poverty" who have been approved for bail set at less than R1,000 but are unable to pay. Committee chairperson Kgomotso Anthea Ramolobeng, said broader public engagement was necessary before any further steps are taken. During the session on Tuesday, JICS revealed plans for a pilot project, likely to be launched in the Western Cape, aimed at assessing the operational viability of such a fund. However, it was indicated that individuals charged with certain serious crimes, such as gender-based violence, would be excluded from benefiting from the fund. The initiative intends to support only those defendants identified by the courts as non-threatening, who have a reliable home address, and pose no risk to public safety or state witnesses while out on bail. Ramolobeng acknowledged that while there is consensus on the need for the fund, committee members are wary of community sentiments towards reintegrating awaiting trial offenders, expressing that many community members harbour fears of re-offending. "During our recent oversight visits to correctional facilities, we observed numerous detainees, including juveniles, who had low bail amounts set. Upon inquiry, families often refused to pay even these small sums, believing that the youths stirred trouble in their communities," she explained. An essential aspect of the discussion was the plan for monitoring those released on bail. Concerns were raised about how re-offending would be tracked, as well as the implications should bail money be forfeited if families are unable to pay or if offenders violate their bail conditions. Ramolobeng noted that "the committee is keen to understand how JICS will ensure compliance and prevent further offences while released on bail." The committee encouraged JICS to continue collaborating with key partners, including the South African Police Service and the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA). Ramolobengsaid the committee will monitor this space and engage JICS and other stakeholders once it has sight of a more comprehensive plan. IOL
Zawya
12-03-2025
- Zawya
South Africa: Correctional Services Committee Updated on Learnership Programme
The Portfolio Committee on Correctional Services yesterday received a briefing from the Department of Correctional Services (DCS) on its Learnership programme selection process, targets and progress achieved to date. The committee heard that the current developmental programme for the training of entry-level correctional officers is the Corrections Services Learnership programme. Its main aim is to assist with youth employment and empowerment, and it also serves as a pool from which entry-level appointments are made. Committee Chairperson Ms Kgomotso Anthea Ramolobeng said the committee is aware that there was an intake in 2021 and some were supposed to be absorbed into the system. 'The previous committee received a briefing and certain commitments were made. We would like an update on those commitments,' said Ms Ramolobeng. Recruitment of the 6 192 learner positions entails the appointment of 50% of applicants with a Grade 12, a National Certificate in Vocational Studies or a Further Education and Training Certificate. The remaining 50% comprises a focused recruitment of those who have DCS-related qualifications, with preference given to those with qualifications in Corrections, Penology and Criminology and those with qualifications/skills that will support the implementation of the Self-Sufficiency and Sustainability Strategy. The DCS received over 1.2 million applications. The committee heard that the DCS programme can accommodate an intake of 1 032 learners at two training colleges: Kroonstad (with a capacity of 540) and Zonderwater Training College (with a capacity of 492). The programme runs for 12 months – 16 weeks of theoretical training at the colleges and the rest of the period constitutes experiential learning at the correctional centres. Learners who have successfully completed the Learnership will be considered for permanent employment in the department as correctional officials. Group 1 will commence on 1 April 2025 subject to the completion of all personal suitability checks. Thus far, the selection process has gone well at all centres, except for the score/result sheets for physical fitness assessments, which were tampered with at Kgosi Mampuru II Management Area in Gauteng. The Regional Commissioner has referred the matter to the Inspectorate for Investigation. The assessments were repeated at the beginning of March. Ms Ramoboleng said: 'The department needs to ensure that the first group of learners into the programme are those that meet the criteria and are without any questionable suitability issues to ensure credibility of the programme. Strict measures must be applied, such as vetting of applicants, to prevent nepotism, as alleged in the past. The committee received several complaints regarding the recruitment and appointment process into the programme previously,' she highlighted. The committee also heard that in the interests of achieving a reformed, integrated and modern criminal justice system (CJS), the department intends increasing its capacity by employing 12 950 correctional officers by 2030. In order to achieve this target, the DCS will have to train 3 000 learners per annum. However, this staff increase depends on the DCS's funding levels. The committee wished the DCS well for the start of the 2025 Leadership programme in April. 'The intake will assist in dealing with the ratio of inmates versus officials, as the current ratio in some centres is concerning and might compromise security in some instances,' said Ms Ramolobeng. 'We resolved to visit to two training facilities in order to allow [the committee] to see the conditions of the facility and assess the training provided to the learners, including the learning material. Furthermore, the committee wants a detailed breakdown on the dropout rate from the programme over the years, a report on the investigation into allegations of tampering with fitness results and nepotism in the Eastern Cape, Free State and Gauteng Region and subsequent consequence management to be implemented,' emphasised Ms Ramolobeng. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Republic of South Africa: The Parliament.
