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The Citizen
03-07-2025
- The Citizen
Wasted freedom: Here's how many parolees reoffended last year
Robbery, theft, housebreaking and assault were the most common crimes committed by parolees, while murder and rape increased. The Department of Correctional Services (DCS) has revealed how many parolees have squandered their chances of freedom. Reoffending parolees and the cost of housing inmates were recently addressed by Minister of Correctional Services Pieter Groenewald. The minister warned that the monitoring of parolees could be an area under threat as he announced a reduction in the department's budget for the coming year. More than one in 10 reoffend Groenewald signed off on a DCS report in June that detailed the number of parolees who had been rearrested in the last five years. DCS had released 287 474 inmates under correctional supervision since the 2020-21 financial year, with 29 940 parolees being rearrested in the last five financial years A written parliamentary response revealed that 5 682 of the 52 556 inmates released on parole or probation during the 2024-25 financial year had reoffended. That represents 12.4% of parolees and is up from the 10.9% from the previous financial year, as well as the highest of any of the last five years. The crimes that sent parolees back to prison early were theft (523), housebreaking (488), robbery (337) and assault (351). Rearrests for murder accounted for 209 cases while 345 parolees were rearrested on a rape or sexual assault charge — both the highest at any point in the last five years. No more easy parole Groenewald announced the department has a capital budget shortfall of R222 million and warned of the possible consequences. 'The cuts to our budget translate to the provision of security equipment being compromised; capital investment in skills development being cut; the budget for nutritional services had to be cut; capital works projects will be on hold; and the monitoring of parolees could be negatively impacted,' said Groenewald. He reiterated that he would implement strict measures on parolees, despite overcrowding in prisons. 'An excessive number of medium to high-risk offenders are being recommended for parole. Once again, we must not allow the citizens of South Africa to bear the burden of this risk,' he said. Cost of housing inmates The minister explained in his budget speech on Tuesday that South Africa was spending R463 per day per prisoner to care for inmates. He added that roughly 24 000 foreign nationals were currently passing through correctional services, costing the state R11 million per day. These were all awaiting trial and are part of the 60 000 remanded inmates who cost the state R27.7 million per day while the court proceedings drag on. Asked whether parolees were monitored after their sentences ended, the minister clarified that offenders became free citizens once their sentences were served. 'There is no provision for continuous monitoring of released offenders as they would have reached their sentence expiry date,' Groenewald stated. NOW READ: Cheap labour? Here's how much prisoners earn in Correctional Services' bakeries
IOL News
01-07-2025
- Business
- IOL News
Minister Groenewald wants Correctional Services back in state security structures
Correctional Services Minister Pieter Groenewald says his department is doing its level best to explore alternative revenue streams to not to be solely reliant on the fiscus while they face real and pressing financial and operational constraints. Image: Armand Hough / Independent Newspapers Correctional Services Minister Pieter Gronewald has formally requested President Cyril Ramaphosa to give consideration to restoring his department in the state security governance structures. Groenewald said should his request be granted, this would yield more appropriate budget alignment with the department's core security and enhanced access to critical intelligence and security technologies, among other things. 'We currently face numerous regulatory obstacles, which result in the department not being able to utilise signal jammers or intercept communication. If we succeed with being restored to a state security structure, it will greatly assist in the fight against organised criminal activities which are taking place in our correctional facilities,' he said. He made the statement when he tabled the department's R29 billion budget in the National Assembly. Groenewald also said his department was doing its level best to explore alternative revenue streams to not to be solely reliant on the fiscus while they face real and pressing financial and operational constraints. 'The capital budget shortfall of R222 million undermines our ability to conduct infrastructure upgrades and critical maintenance. The escalating cost of food, fueled by inflation and the growing number of inmates, including a sharp increase in foreign nationals, adds another layer of financial strain,' he said. 'We are also hamstrung by above-Consumer Price Index increases in municipal tariffs, particularly for electricity, water, and sanitation. Fixed costs linked to our Public-Private Partnership (PPP) correctional facilities leave no room for reprioritisation, and the devolution of maintenance responsibilities from the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure, without corresponding budget support, has created a funding gap of R154 million.' Groenewald added that their digital transformation agenda was also under threat as infrastructure modernisation was both urgent and underfunded. 'The planned recruitment of over 9,000 security officials, which would significantly improve safety and supervision in our centres, also remains underfunded. However, we continue to engage with National Treasury and remain steadfast in our pursuit of sustainable solutions.' The minister urged departments to consider fulfilling their furniture and related supply needs through the Department of Correctional Services. 'This request is both legally supported and aligned with the broader goals of government cost-efficiency, skills development, and rehabilitation." Groenewald told the MPs that the department was actively working on reviewing the parole system. 'It is a moral imperative that this administration finalises the review in the interest of all. We still see too many headlines and reports concerning parolees causing harm to our communities. An excessive number of medium to high-risk offenders are being recommended for parole. Once again, we must not allow the citizens of South Africa to bear the burden of this risk.' He lamented the problem of more than 60,000 remand detainees in prisons, which pushed the number of beds needed to 166,000. 'Currently, we have sufficient bed space for all sentenced offenders. With 107,067 bed spaces, the 104,550 sentenced inmates are accommodated.' He said the remand detainees were a significant contributor to the prisons' overcrowding. 'At present, 2,530 remand detainees remain in custody simply because they cannot afford bail set at R1,000 or less, despite having been granted bail by our courts.' He welcomed the pilot launch of an independent Bail Fund, an initiative that will advance bail only for those who have already been deemed eligible by the courts. Groenewald noted with concern the cost-drivers that were linked to foreign national offenders. 'The South African taxpayer foots the bill for just over 24,000 foreign nationals. Calculated at R463 per day, this results in an expense of R11,112 000 per day. We are currently exploring various solutions, including diplomatic approaches.'
IOL News
20-06-2025
- Business
- IOL News
Cape Town father challenges R172,000 maintenance order, citing financial strain despite over R1 million bonus
A Cape Town father who receives over R1 million in bonuses challenged a ruling which ordered him to pay over R172,000 maintenance. Image: Pexels A Cape Town father who reportedly receives over R1 million in annual bonuses, has challenged the mother of his children and refused to produce his proof of income. The parents, who divorced in August 2010, have been at odds over financial responsibilities, as the mother continues to care for their children, aged 15 and 19. In February 2025, the maintenance court ordered the father to pay R172,188.63, which, amongst other things, will go towards the tuition cost of their older child. The money had to be paid before the end of March 2025. He was further ordered to pay over R20,000 towards the annual school fees of their second child. The total amount he had to pay was over R222,000. However, following the court's ruling, the father swiftly filed an urgent application in the Western Cape High Court to suspend the maintenance order. He argued that the amount was nearly double his net salary, asserting his financial inability to honour such payments. The high court granted a temporary suspension of the order, while simultaneously requiring the mother to demonstrate why this suspension should not become permanent pending the appeal hearing. The mother took further legal action, serving both the father and his employer with a subpoena duces tecum. A subpoena duces tecum is a court order requiring a person to appear in court and produce specific documents or other physical evidence relevant to a legal case. According to the mother, the father misled the court in his application to suspend the maintenance order. She argued that the maintenance court granted the order in line with what was provided by the father in terms of his monthly salary as well as his annual bonus which amounts to over R1 million. She further argued that the father did not provide proof to support his claim that he cannot afford to pay maintenance. He also didn't provide any evidence to support that his financial position had changed for the worse since the order was made. Furthermore, she said the father lied in his affidavit as his IRP5 showed that he had received more than R1 million in March 2025. With this information, she sought to have the interim order suspending the maintenance order to be dismissed. Furthermore, the mother highlighted discrepancies in the father's affidavit, alleging that his IRP5 tax document, which revealed earnings exceeding R1 million as of March 2025, illustrates his capacity to pay the mandated maintenance while still maintaining a comfortable lifestyle. 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 In response, the father approached the high court again, seeking to have the subpoena set aside. He claimed the documents requested by the mother were irrelevant and warned that such disclosures would cause irreparable harm. Presiding over the matter, Judge James Lekhuleni said the previous maintenance court order revealed that the mother battled to coerce the father to honour his maintenance obligations. He only provided financial support to the children when it suited him. He commented on the mother's diligent efforts, recognising that she was an unrepresented litigant trying to safeguard her children's welfare. The judge made it clear that the mother's attempts to compel the father to meet his obligations should not be viewed as an abuse of the legal system. Moreover, judge Lekhuleni emphasised that denying the subpoena would unduly harm the mother and the children, while the father would not suffer significant prejudice from its continuation. "As I see it, there is no prejudice that the applicant (father) will suffer if the subpoena is not set aside. While on the other hand, setting aside the subpoena will have deleterious effects on the first respondent (mother) and the children," he said. The father's application was dismissed. IOL News Get your news on the go, click here to join the IOL News WhatsApp channel.
The South African
12-06-2025
- Business
- The South African
DStv woes: 1.2 million subscribers ditch the dish
Pay-TV operator MultiChoice has reported a sharp decline in its subscriber base for the financial year ending 31 March 2025, losing nearly 1.2 million subscribers across its markets. The drop represents an 8% year-on-year decline, reducing the group's total subscriber base to 14.5 million. According to the company's latest annual results, 589 000 subscribers were lost in South Africa, with a further 591 000 lost across the Rest of Africa segment. The total number of South African subscribers now stands at 7 million, while the Rest of Africa accounts for 7.5 million subscribers. The company's active user base, as measured by its 90-day active subscriber metric, paints an even more concerning picture. The number of active subscribers fell from 20.9 million in 2024 to 18.6 million in 2025 – an 11% decline. South Africa alone lost 614,000 active subscribers under this metric. The subscriber losses translated directly into lower revenues. MultiChoice's blended average revenue per user (ARPU) declined 3% to R222 per subscriber, down from R229 in the previous year. Interestingly, the trend diverged across regions. South African ARPU increased by 4% to R292, driven by a 5.7% price hike on its DStv packages. However, the Rest of Africa saw a 14% decline in ARPU, falling to R148 despite local currency price increases of over 30%. Currency depreciation and weak consumer spending were cited as major contributing factors. Across the 90-day active subscriber base, ARPU remained flat at R170. This masked a 12% drop in the Rest of Africa and a 5% increase in South Africa. The decline in subscribers was spread across all tiers of MultiChoice's service offerings. The premium segment (DStv Premium and Compact Plus) lost 100 000 customers, as did the mid-market segment (Compact and Commercial). The mass-market segment, which includes Family, Access, and EasyView packages, saw the steepest drop with a loss of 400 000 subscribers. The South African market, which once had 9 million subscribers at its peak in 2022, has now dropped to 7 million. Since 2019, the premium subscriber base alone has fallen from 1.6 million to just 900 000 in 2025. Despite the downturn, MultiChoice has taken steps to stem the decline, focusing heavily on retention and win-back campaigns over the past year. Measures included the reintroduction of a second concurrent streaming option at no extra cost and a price reduction on its DStv ADD Movies add-on, from R79 to R49. The group also entered into strategic partnerships with local brands such as Capitec, MTN, and PEP in an effort to expand its distribution footprint and accessibility. While acknowledging the tough operating environment, MultiChoice expressed optimism about stabilising its core video business through customer-focused innovations. The company also intends to expand its efforts in interactive entertainment, financial services, and insurance to diversify its revenue streams. Although the rate of subscriber loss has begun to slow, the group recognises that restoring sustainable growth will require continued adaptation to shifting consumer habits and economic pressures. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
IOL News
11-06-2025
- Business
- IOL News
Department of Correctional Services faces R1. 4 billion over-expenditure
During a briefing on the DCS's second and third quarter performance report for the 2024/25 financial year, committee members were informed that the year-to-date expenditure for the department stood at a considerable R21.6 billion, constituting 78% of the projected annual spending of R29.2 billion. Image: Boxer Ngwenya / Independent Newspapers The Portfolio Committee on Correctional Services has expressed deepening concerns regarding the alarming budgetary excesses plaguing the Department of Correctional Services (DCS), as projections indicate an over-expenditure of R1.4 billion. This situation has arisen amid increasing operational costs, which could severely hinder the department's ability to fulfil its mandate effectively. During a briefing on the DCS's second and third quarter performance report for the 2024/25 financial year, committee members were informed that the year-to-date expenditure for the department stood at a considerable R21.6 billion, constituting 78% of the projected annual spending of R29.2 billion. This figure starkly overshadows the adjusted budget of R27.8 billion, thus highlighting the pressing need for fiscal accountability within the correctional system. The committee identified several contributing factors to this over-expenditure. Chief among them is a cost-of-living adjustment implemented in April 2024, which has compounded existing financial challenges. Additionally, the department's capital budget faces a worrying shortfall of R222 million, severely limiting essential infrastructure upgrades and maintenance needed to improve conditions within correctional facilities. Rising food costs have further exacerbated the situation. This increase is attributed not only to inflation and a rising inmate population but also the increasing number of foreign nationals housed in South Africa's correctional facilities. 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 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. Next Stay Close ✕ The DCS is also grappling with soaring municipal tariffs for utilities such as electricity and water, which have skyrocketed beyond standard consumer price indices, ultimately straining the already overstretched Goods and Services budget. Moreover, the challenge has been heightened by the transfer of maintenance responsibilities from the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure to the DCS without a corresponding increase in funding, resulting in an alarming R154 million funding gap. Meanwhile, the department's efforts toward digital transformation and cybersecurity are stymied by a severely constrained budget for information technology. Kgomotso Anthea Ramolobeng, Chairperson of the committee, voiced her apprehensions about the department's financial trajectory. 'Of course, we raised concerns about this trend. It is worrying although the factors for such overspending have been placed before us. We urged the department to tighten its belt, like using for example offender labour wherever possible in order to cut cost and that will result in a transfer of skills,' she stated. In light of these challenges, the DCS has initiated measures aimed at curtailing projected over-expenditure. A dedicated committee has been established to monitor spending on a weekly basis, and the committee expressed hope that these interventions would yield tangible results. 'We noted these interventions and hope that the corrective measures will bear fruit. We will need a report detailing progress regarding those measures,' Ramolobeng said. The DCS also reported a troubling statistic: 29 unnatural deaths have been recorded among its inmate population, which stands at 160,353. Ramolobeng underscored the importance of accurate reporting, urging the DCS and the Judicial Inspectorate for Correctional Services to establish a framework to resolve discrepancies in the reporting of these numbers. 'Both parties need to sit down and come up with a way forward of how to address this reporting deficit. We want the DCS to submit a report to us following that sit-down meeting,' she concluded. IOL
