In South Africa, parole is not an automatic final step in a prison sentence, but a conditional release that must be justified by law, credible rehabilitation, proper risk assessment, and protection of victims and communities. According to Kgomotso Anthea Ramolobeng, a member of Parliament and chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Correctional Services, parole is not a given, but must be earned, assessed, and accountable. The parliamentary committee on correctional services supports rehabilitation and reintegration where justified, but emphasizes that rehabilitation cannot become a tick-box exercise or a means of managing overcrowding.
The principle of parole was highlighted in the 2014 parole process involving Eugene de Kock, where then minister of Correctional Services Michael Masutha distinguished between a prisoner’s right to be considered for parole and an entitlement to be released. This distinction remains fundamental, as reaching the point at which an offender may be considered for parole does not mean parole must be granted. The question is whether release is appropriate after all relevant information and legal requirements have been properly considered.
Recent cases demonstrate the importance of review mechanisms in the parole system. The Griekwastad case, involving an offender who was a minor when the crimes were committed, was convicted of three counts of murder, rape, and defeating the ends of justice, and was initially placed on parole in 2026, but the decision was reviewed and replaced by the Correctional Supervision and Parole Review Board. The case of Frans du Toit and Theuns Kruger, convicted of the rape and attempted murder of Alison Botha, also highlights the need for scrutiny, as they were granted parole in July 2023, but their parole was revoked and they were returned to custody in February 2025.
The parole system requires properly constituted and sufficiently resourced institutions, including Correctional Supervision and Parole Boards. However, as of September 2026, there were 17 chairperson, 15 vice-chairperson, and 41 community member vacancies across the 52 boards. The Upington Board, which handled the Griekwastad case, has had no substantive chairperson since 2020. The department must provide a board-by-board vacancy plan showing when vacancies arose, recruitment progress, and firm dates for filling them.
Risk assessment must be at the center of the parole system, and must be consistent, evidence-based, and properly scrutinized, particularly in serious and violent cases. The system must establish whether an offender has demonstrated behavioral change, addressed factors contributing to offending, and has a realistic support structure outside prison. Victims must be considered in the parole process, and their participation is not a veto over parole, but recognizes their legitimate rights and interests in decisions affecting their safety, dignity, and ability to rebuild their lives.
The department must actively trace and notify victims, establish minimum standards for notification and participation, and document reasonable efforts to locate them. Victims and families must receive timely information about parole decisions, conditions, and mechanisms to raise concerns about possible breaches. The proposed Online Victim Registration Form is a welcome change, but it cannot be the only solution.
Effective parole depends on effective Community Corrections, which requires trained, ethical officials, functioning control rooms, reliable connectivity, maintenance, and a clear response system. The department must be able to respond after-hours and coordinate with SAPS where intervention is required. Before further investment in electronic monitoring, the department should provide a fully costed operational plan covering staffing, infrastructure, connectivity, maintenance, alert response, and inter-agency coordination.
Key points
- Parole in South Africa is a conditional release that must be earned, assessed, and accountable.
- The parole system requires properly constituted and sufficiently resourced institutions, including Correctional Supervision and Parole Boards.
- Risk assessment and victim participation are crucial components of the parole process.
