House Chairperson, hon Deputy Minister of Justice, hon Deputy Minister of Correctional Services, members of the House, and all protocol observed; the ID believes that a number of decisions by this Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Development over the past years have placed the principle of the independence of the judiciary and the National Prosecuting Authority, NPA, under threat.
For the record, the ID has repeatedly made its view on the appointment of Menzi Simelane clear. The appointment of this arrogant and almost definitely dishonest former Director-General of Justice, and later the Deputy Director of the NPA, as the country's new National Director of Public Prosecutions was an indictment on the government. Instead, this man was rewarded by government by getting a job promotion.
With regard to Correctional services, the ID remains concerned that South Africa's correctional centres are hopelessly overcrowded and are not up to the task of rehabilitating criminals. The department has been mandated to rehabilitate, develop and train offenders with different skills in order to become responsible citizens.
Chair, we must look at them and tell them that they are welcome in society to play their role in the community. Unofficial statistics report that over 70% of criminals who leave jail revert to their criminal ways. As we look outside the foyer of this House, we see the talent and skills displayed in the work that these offenders can do. It is of utmost importance to help them change their thinking as well as their attitude.
We must alleviate the overcrowding in our prisons by cutting down on the number of awaiting-trial prisoners who are languishing in jail. The conditions that some of these prisoners are held under are unacceptable, for example those at the King William's Town prison. We must also ensure that awaiting-trial cases are processed far more efficiently by the justice system, and encourage alternatives to incarceration for less serious offenders.
Finally, the ratio of warders to prisoners needs to be reviewed and justified, while the danger allowance needs to be increased drastically. The income inequalities between ordinary warders and high officials like commissioners and their deputies must be reviewed.
Hon Chair, allow me to say this in Afrikaans.
Jy kan nie iemand in 'n gevangenis aanhou en nie hierdie persoon help om sy menswaardigheid terug te kry nie. En die departement s vir ons dat hulle besig is om mense te rehabiliteer. Om mense te rehabiliteer, beteken dat ek jou moet help om 'n beter mens te word sodat jy kan groei en sodat jy iemand kan wees in die gemeenskap. Ek dank u, en ons ondersteun die begrotingspos. [Applous.] (Translation of Afrikaans paragraph follows.)
[One cannot detain somebody in prison and not assist them to regain their human dignity. And the department informs us that they are busy rehabilitating people. In order to rehabilitate a person one has to assist that person to become a better person so that they can grow and become a member of the community. I thank you, and we support the Budget Vote. [Applause.]]
UMntwana M M M ZULU: Sihlalo, amaPhini oNgqongqoshe womabili, izinhloko ezintsha zoMnyango Wezokuhlunyeleliswa Kwezimilo , kumbalwa mhlonishwa Ngqongqoshe eMnyangweni Wezokuhlunyeliswa Kwezimilo engicabanga ukuthi kufanele kubhekisiswe kahle. Kufanele kubhekisiswe kahle uhlelo lokuboshwa kwezingane zethu ezincane bese zivalelwa nabantu asebemadolomhlophe ngoba sibuye sizihlukumeze. Enye yezinto okufanele ibhekisiswe leyo, nokuthi singenza kanjani ukuthi lezo zinto zincishiswe. Yilokho nje okungikhathazayo kuleyo ndawo. (Translation of isiZulu paragraph follows.)
[Prince M M M ZULU: Chairperson, both Deputy Ministers and new heads of the Department of Correctional Services, there are only a few things in the Department of Correctional Services that I think need to be revisited. The issue of arresting young people and putting them in the same cells as older people needs to be revisited because they are being subjected to abuse. That is one thing that needs to be revisited, as well as looking at what we can do to reduce those instances. That is my only concern at the moment regarding this issue.]