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After much confusion last week, the Department of Correctional Services confirmed Tuesday that the jailed ANC councilor would be released on parole.
FILE: Andile Lungisa. Image: GCIS.
JOHANNESBURG – The Department of Correctional Services confirmed Tuesday that ANC Councilor for the Bay Nelson Mandela, Andile Lungisa, would be released on parole.
The department said in a statement that the release conditions were in accordance with the law.
“Classified as first-time offenders with a positive support system and having responded positively to rehabilitation programs, Lungisa’s placement on probation is in line with Section 73 (7) (a) of the Correctional Services Act. The Act determines the minimum sentencing period that must be served before possible parole placement is considered. This should be read in conjunction with Section 276 (1) (i) of the Criminal Procedure Act, as it provides that a sixth The mandatory part of the sentence must be served before any consideration for parole, “the statement said.
There was a lot of confusion last week after a group of his supporters called the Free Lungisa Campaign, who called him a “hero among heroes,” confirmed that they knew Lungisa would be released, while last week’s department of correctional services said on Friday. Eyewitness news I was unaware of such development.
Lungisa was sentenced to two years in prison for assault with intent to cause serious bodily harm after striking a Democratic Alliance councilor with a glass jug on the head during a heated council meeting in 2016. His sentence began on 9 May 2018 and was released on May 25 pending a request for extended bail, which was unsuccessful. He returned to prison to begin serving his sentence on September 17, 2020.
Lungisa was granted a special remission of penalties.
“The Special Remission of Sentences granted by President Cyril Ramaphosa on December 16, 2019 reduced Lungisa’s sentence by 12 months. More than 14,000 inmates benefited from the Special Remission of Sentence,” the statement read.
“Lungisa will serve the remainder of the sentence in the Community Corrections system, where he is expected to meet a specific set of conditions and will be subject to supervision until the sentence expires,” the department said.
Correctional Services also emphasized the importance of welcoming communities on probation.
“The role of society in the process of relocating parolees to communities cannot be underestimated. It is important that parolees are accepted and supported so that they can fully reintegrate into society and have the opportunity to make a significant contribution, “he continued. in your statement.
But it did include that the parole system, while “progressive” and “based on international best practice,” depended on the offender.
“Offenders who are released on probation are expected to meet the conditions and failure to comply may result in probation, depending on the frequency and severity of the violations, the probation being revoked and being sent back to a facility. correctional facility, “he said.
Lungisa is expected to have a media briefing with the Free Lungisa Campaign at 10 am on Tuesday morning.
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