1. (a) The Department of Correctional Services (DCS) is not able to dispose of any public records in its custody, be it records of deceased members or deceased offenders due to the moratorium on the destruction of records imposed by Cabinet as per Circular 02 of 1998 due to non-completion of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC).
As a result, files and records are inundating DCS offices.
On numerous occasions, DCS has written to the Department of Sports, Arts and Culture (DSAC) requesting them to approach Cabinet to consider partial upliftment of the moratorium on the destruction of records that are not related to the TRC and feedback is awaited in this regard.
As at, 18 September 2023, 50 boxes have been filled with inactive files and stored in one of the offices with the intention of moving them to the Regional Office.
As at, 19 September 2023, boxes of inactive files have been moved to appropriate archive facilities at the Regional Office, the active files will remain at the Community Corrections office in Stellenbosch.
The remainder of the inactive files will be packed in boxes and moved to the Regional office with the due date of 30 September 2023, for the project to be completed.
(b) The Minor renovations of the building listed below are underway using own resources. However, it must be indicated that major renovations must be done by the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure:
DPWI RESPONSIBILITIES
The target date for the completion of all minor renovations by DCS is
01 December 2023.
2. (a) Somerset Community Corrections office serves 07 Areas.
Namely: Macassar, Somerset West, Lwandle / Nomzamo, Strand, Gordons Bay, Sir Lowry’s Pass and Faure Farms.
(b) The current caseload is 183 with 25 parolees reporting to the office on a weekly basis for consultations and interventions.
3. (a) There are no parolees registered in the system of Community Corrections without confirmed addresses. Confirmation of address is a pre-requisite for admission.
(b) Regular monitoring and Monthly Special Monitoring:
Special monitoring is to check on absconders and also to ensure that parolees comply with their conditions;
These activities are aimed at ensuring that reintegration into the communities becomes successful.
END.