Dear Editor
The Democratic Alliance (DA) notes with concern the Department of Correctional Services’ latest attempt to deflect responsibility for the disappearance of convicted offenders Me-Kayle Timmie and Mikyle Mentoor, and the reoffending of Xolani Du Preez, while all three were meant to be in custody at Pollsmoor.
Rather than owning up to systemic failures, the Department now blames the South African Police Service (SAPS), claiming that it was not provided with the legal instruments to detain the men. This despite their system reflecting the case number which remanded them until the finalisation of litigation in the High Court.
The narrative offered by the Department is not only misleading – it’s dangerous. Three sentenced offenders were lost in a system jointly managed by Justice, SAPS, and Correctional Services. These departments should be cooperating to urgently locate the missing inmates and then fix the breakdowns that enabled this.
The DA has yet to receive a response from Minister Pieter Groenewald explaining why he told Parliament on 12 May that all three were in custody – a claim which a subsequent DA oversight visit to Pollsmoor prison proved to be false.
Internal investigations by the Department of Correctional Services, as offered by the Minister, cannot be credible when conducted by the very same people who lied about the three men’s whereabouts. The DA reiterates its call for urgent parliamentary oversight and calls for SAPS or Correctional Services to immediately offer a public reward for information leading to the re-arrest of Timmie and Mentoor.
Correctional Services knowingly misled Parliament and the public. You cannot fix systemic failure with internal spin – or by concealing the truth.
The DA wrote to the Minister of Police on Monday to confirm whether SAPS had been formally notified of the escape. No reply has been received. While Correctional Services play the blame game, a convicted rapist and murderer remain at large. Their re-apprehension must now be the top priority.
Regards
Nicholas Gotsell MP
DA NCOP Member on Security & Justice
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