Former MMC for Infrastructure and Engineering in Nelson
Mandela Bay, the ANC’s Andile Lungisa, has been placed on parole with effect
from today, Tuesday, December 1, the Department of Correctional Services (DCS) confirmed
this morning.
According to a statement released by the DCS, Lungisa was classified
as a first-time offender with a positive support system and having responded
positively to rehabilitation programmes, parole placement for him is in line
with Section 73(7)(a) of the Correctional Services Act.
“The Act determines the minimum period of sentence that must
be served before consideration for possible parole placement. This must be read
together with Section 276(1)(i) of the Criminal Procedure Act as it stipulates
a mandatory one sixth of the sentence to be served before any consideration for
parole,” the statement read.
The statement also explained that Lungisa was initially
admitted on May 9, 2018 to serve a two-year sentence for assault with intent to
cause grievous bodily harm. However, he was released on bail on May 25, 2018, after
having spent at least 16 days pending his appeal application. He was readmitted
to the corrections system to continue with the sentence on September 17 this
year after his appeal application was unsuccessful. The Special Remission of Sentences granted by
President Cyril Ramaphosa on December 16 last year reduced Lungisa’s sentence
by twelve months as more than 14 000 inmates benefitted from the special
Remission of Sentence.
This parole placement means that Lungisa will serve the
remainder of the sentence in the system of Community Corrections, whereby he
will be expected to comply with a specific set of conditions and be subjected
to supervision until the sentence expires.
“South Africa is using a parole system that is progressive
in nature and based on international best practice. Offenders placed on parole
are expected to comply with conditions and failure to comply may result in the
parolee, depending on the frequency and seriousness of the violations, having
parole revoked and sent back to a correctional facility.
“The role of society cannot be underestimated in the process
of placing parolees back into communities. It is important that parolees be
accepted and supported so that they can be fully reintegrated into society and
be given an opportunity to make a meaningful contribution,” the statement
concluded.
Source: The Department of Correctional Services media
statement
