Despite a year of protests against violence, the government released more than 10,000 convicts back into society
05 March 2020 - 16:39
Support our award-winning journalism. The Premium package (digital only) is R30 for the first month and thereafter you pay R129 p/m now ad-free for all subscribers.
Violence against women and children made headlines every other week in SA in 2019. The country stood together, campaigning, marching and protesting in remembrance of those who were lost and those who were affected by the violence, while pleading for the government to take action.
Yet at the end of the year the government declared an amnesty and released more than 10,000 convicts back into society due to overcrowding in prisons. Since then there have been at least two young children murdered by convicts who were released early.
The government is trying to abide by the constitution regarding prison conditions, but this is coming at the expense of the younger generation.
Change for the good is more likely to happen if every person takes it upon themselves to protect others, the same way they would protect their loved ones.
Government will not be able to cure the situation immediately, so we as a society are forced to live among people who will continue to disregard other people’s lives. If we cannot depend on government, we need to be able to depend on each other.
Courtney Rowen Durbanville
JOIN THE DISCUSSION: Send us an e-mail with your comments. Letters of more than 300 words will be edited for length. Send your letter by e-mail to busday@bdfm.co.za. Anonymous correspondence will not be published. Writers should include a daytime telephone number.
Support our award-winning journalism. The Premium package (digital only) is R30 for the first month and thereafter you pay R129 p/m now ad-free for all subscribers.
LETTER: We must protect each other from criminals
Despite a year of protests against violence, the government released more than 10,000 convicts back into society
Violence against women and children made headlines every other week in SA in 2019. The country stood together, campaigning, marching and protesting in remembrance of those who were lost and those who were affected by the violence, while pleading for the government to take action.
Yet at the end of the year the government declared an amnesty and released more than 10,000 convicts back into society due to overcrowding in prisons. Since then there have been at least two young children murdered by convicts who were released early.
The government is trying to abide by the constitution regarding prison conditions, but this is coming at the expense of the younger generation.
Change for the good is more likely to happen if every person takes it upon themselves to protect others, the same way they would protect their loved ones.
Government will not be able to cure the situation immediately, so we as a society are forced to live among people who will continue to disregard other people’s lives. If we cannot depend on government, we need to be able to depend on each other.
Courtney Rowen
Durbanville
JOIN THE DISCUSSION: Send us an e-mail with your comments. Letters of more than 300 words will be edited for length. Send your letter by e-mail to busday@bdfm.co.za. Anonymous correspondence will not be published. Writers should include a daytime telephone number.
Correctional services faces scores of civil claims amid personnel drain
More than 2,000 weapons surrendered so far during amnesty
Security issues inhibiting SA’s competitiveness, says WEF
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Most Read
Related Articles
No equal measures as gender-equality goals fail outright
Women still bear the brunt of violent crime, says Stats SA
Ramaphosa announces further R1.1bn to fight abuse against women
Published by Arena Holdings and distributed with the Financial Mail on the last Thursday of every month except December and January.