The names of the offenders granted medical parole would be released despite the Department of Correctional Services initially refusing to release such information.
|||The names of the offenders granted medical parole would be released this week despite the Department of Correctional Services initially refusing to release such information.
Jackie Selebi, who was convicted on corruption charges last year, was released from prison on medical parole on Friday together with four other offenders.
The department has chosen to remain mum on information about offenders whose applications were reviewed by the Medical Advisory Board in Pretoria on June 20.
Of the 12 offenders whose applications had been received, three died while their applications were being processed.
Three others were not recommended for medical parole and six were recommended for medical parole.
Newly appointed Correctional Services Minister S’bu Ndebele said: “Of the six, two were respectively released on July 9 and 12, and another offender will be released this week.”
Chief Deputy Commissioner James Smalburger said the department was not prepared to release any information about the parolees.
“These are not prominent people and their privacy has to be respected because there are issues of patient-doctor confidentiality,” said Smalburger.
“It would be unfair to them to release information to the media without their consent,” he said, adding that Selebi’s particulars had been made public because he was a prominent public figure.
“Although they are offenders, they still have rights. Each case was considered on its own merit and the department acted on the advice of the medical parole board,” said Smalburger.
After an urgent meeting with the department, the chairman of the medical parole advisory board, Dr Victor Ramathesele, on Saturday said a decision had been made to release the names.
“We have nothing to hide. The department will release the names during the course of this week, but, for now, we have to respect that processes need to be followed.
“Our job is to look at the applications, assess patients and make recommendations to the department,” said Ramathesele.
The department’s decision has angered opposition parties.
DA Correctional Services spokesman James Selfe said: “The only way to restore confidence in the system is to show transparency.
“They should not be withholding any information. It is completely unacceptable and the department’s credibility will be compromised.”
The IFP’s Correctional Services spokesman, Velaphi Ndlovu, echoed Selfe’s sentiments. “The department must not be seen to be doing favours for some people, but do what is right for everybody,” said Ndlovu.
He questioned the department’s decision saying: “If they could release Selebi’s name, why can’t they release the rest of the offenders’ names?
“It makes us question if the offenders even exist.”
amanda.khoza@inl.co.za
Sunday Tribune