Correctional services officials demonstrate the use of the new electronic monitoring system on a parolee.
SERIOUS concerns have been raised that the Department of Correctional Services (DCS) has lost track of 28 000 parolees, including serious violent and violent offenders such as murderers and rapists, who are untraceable.
However, (DCS) has strongly refuted the alarming claims.
DCS Minister Pieter Groenewald’s spokesperson, Singabakho Nxumalo, dismissed the suggestions as "incorrect," stating that the department has an accurate tracing system with 1,764 officials dedicated to Community Corrections supervision. “DCS maintains active tracking and tracing capabilities in all regions and no longer uses 'archived absconders' as an inactive category,” Nxumalo said. The department confirmed that 52,772 parolees and probationers are currently under Community Corrections supervision, which includes office reporting, home visits, and employment verification.
Minister of Correctional Services Pieter Groenewald.
