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By Botho Molosankwe 
2h ago
Johannesburg – Former Nelson Mandela Bay councilor Andile Lungisa has been released from prison after serving just two months of his two-year sentence for assault.
The Department of Correctional Services confirmed Tuesday that Lungisa has been released on parole as of December 1.
The disgraced ANC councilor began serving his sentence in September after he was found guilty of assaulting DA councilor Rano Kayser in 2016 by breaking a glass jar above his head.
Before serving his sentence, he had taken his case to the Supreme Court of Appeals.
However, the court dismissed the appeal of his sentence, holding that the assault had been life-threatening in nature and that Lungisa had not only behaved in a manner inappropriate to his condition, but did not take responsibility for his actions.
Correctional Services Department spokesman Singabakho Nxumalo said Lungisa was released because he had been classified as a first-time offender with a positive support system.
He said that Lungisa had also responded positively to the rehabilitation programs that led to his being released on parole in accordance with Section 73 (7) (a) of the Correctional Services Act.
“The Law determines the minimum sentence period that must be served before considering the possibility of possible placement on probation. This should be read in conjunction with Section 276 (1) (i) of the Criminal Procedure Act, as it stipulates a mandatory sixth part of the sentence that must be served prior to any consideration for parole.
“Lungisa was initially admitted on May 9, 2018 to serve a two-year sentence for assault with intent to cause serious bodily injury. However, he was released on bail on May 25, 2018 after at least 16 days had passed pending his appeal request.
“He was readmitted to continue sentencing in the prison system on September 17, 2020 after his appeal request was unsuccessful. The special waiver 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 sentences.
Nxumalo said that Lungisa will be subject to correctional supervision until his sentence ends.
MESS
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