- The parole system is collapsing due to severe understaffing and years-long unfilled vacancies.
- Whistleblowers face retaliation while the Department fails to act on corruption claims.
- The DA calls for urgent reforms, whistleblower protection, and completion of a parole review.
The Democratic Alliance (DA) will submit urgent written questions to the Department of Correctional Services (DCS) to demand accountability for the ongoing collapse of South Africa’s parole system and the Department’s failure to protect whistleblowers. Specifically, the DA will seek clarity on:
- What steps will be taken to protect whistleblowers who expose internal corruption;
- What urgent remedial action will be implemented to fully capacitate parole boards and restore the integrity of the parole system; and
- When the long-overdue review of the parole system, initiated in 2015, will finally be concluded.
This action follows a presentation to the Portfolio Committee yesterday in which the Department of Correctional Services revealed the extent of dysfunction in the country’s parole system. The DA is deeply concerned that Parole Boards across South Africa are understaffed and barely functional, exposing the Department to a rising number of legal challenges from parole applicants – some justified, others opportunistic.
According to the Department, 101 out of 208 parole board positions remain vacant. The Eastern Cape is particularly hard-hit, with only two out of eight parole boards having a chairperson and vice-chairperson, while the remaining six are critically undermined by these vacancies.
In some cases, vacancies have been left unaddressed for years. Community Member roles that became vacant in 2020 were only advertised in September 2024, with shortlisting still pending. At Pollsmoor prison, a Vice Chairperson post has remained vacant since 2019.
Despite a parole system review being initiated during the 5th administration in 2015, there is still no clear timeline for its completion. This prolonged inaction has created gaping holes in the system, which are being exploited by unscrupulous insiders for financial gain.
The DA is alarmed by credible allegations that certain legal practitioners within the Department and the State Attorney’s office are colluding with external lawyers to file spurious litigation – particularly in the Eastern Cape – resulting in substantial financial losses for the state.
Equally troubling is the Department’s failure to act on these allegations. Despite the Minister being aware of a specific case, the Department has taken no steps to protect the whistleblower who exposed the collusion. She now faces financial ruin due to retaliatory, vexatious litigation designed to intimidate and silence her.
The DA is deeply concerned by the Department’s ongoing challenges in addressing issues within this broken system and in protecting dedicated officials who strive to uphold the law and safeguard public funds. Prompt and decisive action is needed to prevent further loss of taxpayer money and to begin rebuilding public confidence in the parole system.