[ad_1]
Five new Covid-19 cases were recorded among inmates and three Department of Correctional Services (DCS) officials were retrieved.
The five new cases, all among prisoners, have increased the total number of positive cases among prisoners to 177. Of these, 102 are in the Eastern Cape and 59 in the Western Cape. The remaining cases are in Gauteng and Limpopo.
Of the 99 officials who tested positive, 56 are in the Western Cape and 36 are in the Eastern Cape. The rest are in Limpopo, Gauteng and at the head office.
“In a statement Friday, DCS spokesperson Singabakho Nxumalo said the three recovered officials who tested negative were in the Western Cape, increasing the total number of recoveries to 87.
“DCS continues to provide support to both officials and prisoners who test positive for Covid-19,” said Nxumalo.
In an attempt to curb the spread of Covid-19 in prisons, and to alleviate overcrowding, President Cyril Ramaphosa has authorized parole for low-risk inmates.
On Friday, Ramaphosa announced and published the decision in terms of Section 84 (2) (1) of the Constitution along with Section B2 (1) (a) of the Correctional Services Act of 1998.
READ | Tourism watches the younger crowd as older people struggle with the threat of the virus
In Proclamation 19 of 2020 published on May 8, Ramaphosa noted that only selected inmates would be eligible and would only be released after processes have been followed.
In a statement Friday, the Presidency said the parole waiver would apply to low-risk inmates who have already served their minimum sentence, or who are approaching this period in the next five years.
About 19,000 inmates within South African prisons are expected to be eligible for special probation to curb the spread of the new coronavirus.
Stay healthy and entertained during the national shutdown. Subscribe to our Lockdown Living newsletter. Sign up and manage your newsletters in the new News24 app by clicking on the Profile tongue
[ad_2]
