By: Pamella Majola
The United Democratic Movement Women’s Organisation has raised alarm over South Africa’s broken parole system and referred to 18052 parolees who reoffended in three years, including 493 murders and 624 rapes.
The Secretary-General Thandi Nontenja urges decisive reform prioritising victim safety, accountability, and offender rehabilitation.
She stresses that parole boards must involve victims and ensure only genuinely rehabilitated offenders are released.
“Parliament and the ministry of justice must hold parole boards accountable when offenders they release commit violent crimes. Offenders must demonstrate readiness for parole through participation in skills training and reintegration programs,” says Nontenja.
