Latest news with #Shanela
IOL News
2 days ago
- IOL News
South Africa's prison population reaches 166 924: The impact of budget constraints
The total population of inmates increased to 166,924 as of December 31, 2024, throughout South Africa. Image: Bheki Radebe Within three months, 6 571 more inmates occupied prisons throughout South Africa, bringing the total population of inmates to 166 924 as of December 31, 2024. The Department of Correctional Services (DCS) presented the 3rd Quarter Performance Report for the 2024/25 financial year to the Portfolio Committee on Correctional Services on Tuesday, noting that the prison population increased from 160 353 on September 30, 2024. In the DCS report, reference was made to the capital budget being underfunded by R222 million, constraining infrastructure upgrades and maintenance. The DCS stated that food costs have surged, driven not only by inflation and a growing inmate population, but also by the rising number of foreign nationals housed in correctional facilities, which are experiencing the highest concentration of this challenge. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad Loading Approximately 27% of offenders in Gauteng are foreign nationals. Polokwane and Thohoyandou in Limpopo, Barberton in Mpumalanga, and Klerksdorp, North West, correctional centres admitted more remand detainees, mostly foreign nationals, due to SAPS operations Vala Umgodi and Shanela, where they were charged for illegal mining and illegal immigration. The DCS stated that due to municipal tariffs for electricity, water, and sanitation escalating above the Consumer Price Index, it is creating further strain on the already stretched goods and services budget. The department stated that the branch budget is also severely constrained, hampering efforts to modernise digital infrastructure and cybersecurity. The DCS did not meet its target in Information Technology (IT) because of a number of sites where a mesh network and an integrated security system (ISS) are installed. The reason provided was attributed to a delay in the testing of the Audio Visual Remand (AVR) due to the unavailability of the confirmed court dates by the Department of Justice. The DCS also stated that funds allocated for the Local Area Network (LAN) infrastructure project were insufficient due to a budget shortfall for the Microsoft licenses. It highlighted that overcrowding in correctional facilities is in excess of approved bed space capacity. 'The admission of remand detainees and sentenced offenders exceeds the outflow of cases from the system,' the DCS stated. The unsentenced inmate population increased by 5 934, while the sentenced offender population increased by 637. With regard to overcrowding in Gauteng, the DCS stated that the Leeuwkop Medium B is unable to utilise four cells with a capacity of 160 because of two burnt cells and two that are adjacent to the burnt cells. At the same facility, the DCS cannot use the Delta units with a bed space of 340 due to a lack of resources; further details are not provided. The DCS was allocated a budget of R27.8 billion, with 60% going towards incarceration, amounting to R16.7bn. Cape Argus
IOL News
2 days ago
- IOL News
South Africa's prison population surges to 166,924 amid budget constraints
The total population of inmates increased to 166,924 as of December 31, 2024, throughout South Africa. Image: Steve Lawrence / Independent Newspapers Within three months, 6,571 more inmates occupied prisons throughout South Africa, bringing the total population of inmates to 166,924 as of December 31, 2024. The Department of Correctional Services (DCS) presented the 3rd Quarter Performance Report for the 2024/25 financial year to the Portfolio Committee on Correctional Services on Tuesday, noting that the prison population increased from 160,353 on 30 September 2024. In the DCS report, reference was made to the capital budget being underfunded by R222 million, constraining infrastructure upgrades and maintenance. The DCS stated that food costs have surged, driven not only by inflation and a growing inmate population, but also by the rising number of foreign nationals housed in correctional facilities, which are experiencing the highest concentration of this challenge. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad loading Approximately 27% of offenders in Gauteng are foreign nationals. Polokwane and Thohoyandou in Limpopo, Barberton in Mpumalanga, and Klerksdorp, North West, correctional centres admitted more remand detainees, mostly foreign nationals, due to SAPS operations Vala Umgodi and Shanela, where they were charged for illegal mining and illegal immigration. The DCS stated that due to municipal tariffs for electricity, water, and sanitation escalating above the Consumer Price Index, it is creating further strain on the already stretched goods and services budget. The department stated that the branch budget is also severely constrained, hampering efforts to modernise digital infrastructure and cybersecurity. The DCS did not meet its target in Information Technology (IT) because of a number of sites where a mesh network and an integrated security system (ISS) are installed. The reason provided was attributed to a delay in the testing of the Audio Visual Remand (AVR) due to the unavailability of the confirmed court dates by the Department of Justice. The DCS also stated that funds allocated for the Local Area Network (LAN) infrastructure project were insufficient due to a budget shortfall for the Microsoft licenses. It highlighted that overcrowding in correctional facilities is in excess of approved bed space capacity. 'The admission of remand detainees and sentenced offenders exceeds the outflow of cases from the system,' the DCS stated. The unsentenced inmate population increased by 5,934, while the sentenced offender population increased by 637. With regard to overcrowding in Gauteng, the DCS stated that the Leeuwkop Medium B is unable to utilise four cells with a capacity of 160 because of two burnt cells and two that are adjacent to the burnt cells. At the same facility, the DCS cannot use the Delta units with a bed space of 340 due to a lack of resources; further details are not provided. The DCS was allocated a budget of R27.8 billion, with 60% going towards incarceration, amounting to R16.7bn.
The Citizen
29-04-2025
- The Citizen
Crime operation nets almost 300 suspects.
Police have been busy with crime clampdown operations over the weekend, resulting in the arrest of almost 300 suspects in Atteridgeville and Erasmia. The operation dubbed Shanela was conducted in coordination with key priority structures such as the District Commissioner of Tshwane, Major-General Samuel Thine, who led the operation with the Home Affairs, Gauteng Traffic and Tshwane Metro Police departments. According to SAPS spokesperson Captain Johan van Dyk, 290 suspects were arrested for various offences. Wanted individuals were apprehended, visible policing was enhanced through the deployment of additional resources and officers, and liquor regulations were enforced in the targeted areas. 'A roadblock was established in Atteridgeville, while two operational teams conducted compliance raids and law enforcement operations across the two precincts.' He said that as a result, 16 undocumented individuals were detained and are currently awaiting legal processing for deportation. Van Dyk said Tshwane detectives arrested 235 suspects for various offences, including gender-based violence (77), murder (1), attempted murder (2), armed robbery (3), assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm (31) and rape (5). He said several premises and establishments were inspected, leading to arrests for possession of drugs and shut down of liquor establishments for non-compliance. 'Twenty-four identified premises and crime hotspots were searched and patrolled, leading to one arrest for drug possession and the confiscation of two sachets of crystal meth. Four liquor establishments were shut down for non-compliance with the Liquor Act, and alcohol was confiscated. Eight persons were arrested and fined for illegal gambling. Van Dyk said one individual was arrested and fined for public drinking, and 22 drivers were arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol. 'Sixteen Aarto infringement notices amounting to R15 750 for violations of the Road Traffic Act were issued as a result of traffic enforcement efforts.' He said a total of 1 101 individuals and 552 vehicles were searched. Van Dyk said Major-General Samuel Thine thanked all stakeholders for their dedication and professionalism in executing their duties. Do you have more information about the story? Please send us an email to bennittb@ or phone us on 083 625 4114. For free breaking and community news, visit Rekord's websites: Rekord East For more news and interesting articles, like Rekord on Facebook, follow us on Twitter or Instagram or TikTok. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
