Majority of illegal mining convicts in prisons are foreigners: DCS

The Department of Correctional Services has revealed that most prisoners serving sentences for illegal mining activities are foreign nationals from Southern African Development Community (SADC) countries.

This disclosure comes amid growing concerns about the rising number of foreign inmates in South African prisons, which is putting additional pressure on correctional facilities.

Statistics released by Parliament’s Correctional Services Committee yesterday show that over 22 500 foreign nationals are currently incarcerated in the country’s correctional centres.

Department spokesperson Singabakho Nxumalo says that discussions with relevant stakeholders are underway to address the issue, including the possible deportation of foreign prisoners.

“We do work with other departments where we continuously indicate to them that the situation is not looking good and some of these people, we say the sooner they take them back to their countries of origin the better,” says Nxumalo.

“The strain that they impose in the system is quite a lot because it is stretching our resources as correctional services. Because when they are with us we then have to make a point that nutritional services are available, when they are sick health care must be [provided]. There’s quite a lot, so it’s not just keeping a human being there. Then it means now more resources must be made available to them,” adds Nxumalo.

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