Correctional Services Minister Pieter Groenewald has reignited the debate on foreign nationals in South African prisons, suggesting that convicts from other countries should serve their sentences in their home countries. This proposal comes as the department faces significant expenses, shelling out over R11 million daily to house more than 24,000 foreign nationals in correctional facilities.
The daily cost per inmate stands at R463, translating to a staggering R11,112,000 per day. Minister Groenewald emphasized that the South African taxpayer bears the brunt of this expense, sparking discussions on the feasibility of deporting foreign convicts to alleviate the financial burden.¹
In a bid to address the issue, Groenewald has been working with the Department of Home Affairs to facilitate the deportation of foreign offenders granted parole. Recently, five foreign nationals serving life sentences were granted parole and are set to be deported to their respective countries. This move is part of a broader effort to clear the backlog of parole applications, with the department having concluded 599 cases as of October 2024.
The Department of Home Affairs has indeed stepped up its deportation efforts, with 46,898 illegal immigrants deported in the 2024/25 financial year, marking an 18% increase from the previous year. This surge in deportations reflects the department’s efforts to address the issue of foreign nationals in the country.
While the proposal to deport foreign convicts has garnered attention, its implementation poses significant challenges. These include ensuring that the rights of foreign nationals are protected and navigating the complexities of international law. Nevertheless, Minister Groenewald’s call for deportation highlights the need for a comprehensive review of the country’s correctional services and immigration policies.
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