Groenewald pushes for repatriation of all 27,000 foreign inmates to combat prison overcrowding

Correctional Services Minister Pieter Groenewald has said he would like to see all 27,000 foreign nationals, currently incarcerated in South African prisons, repatriated to their countries of origin.

But he said speeding up repatriation to limit overcrowding in prisons would require amendments to the law, which takes time.

Groenewald said as it is, prisons are overcrowded, and more correctional facilities are needed.

Groenewald was responding to questions on prison overcrowding in the National Assembly as part of the peace and security cluster.

“I am on record to say we’re in process to see what we can do to repatriate them back to countries of origin. In the end, I would like to see that those people are sent back to their countries of origin, but unfortunately, it is an amendment of legislation, and the honourable member will know it’s not a simple thing that you change legislation tomorrow.”