The party said through the national executive committee sub-structure on peace and stability that among other considerations was a review of the parole system which has seen some of the most dangerous criminals back in the streets after serving only portions of what was meant to be lengthy jail terms as well the increase of security in prisons to prevent inmates from coordinating crimes from inside.
“We have engaged with minister Groenewald and he agrees that there’s a need to crackdown on prison gangs. People should be in prison to serve time as it is supposed to be and not be in a position to coordinate crimes, they should not have access to electronics and other resources that they may need to coordinate these crimes, said Police minister Senzo Mchunu who sits on the subcommittee also indicating that some of the most violent crimes were coordinated from prison.
Mchunu said the government and the ANC have also taken note of unhappiness regarding the parole process which many believes allow incorrigible criminals back into communities where they often carry on with their crimes.
“We are saying there needs to be a review of that process because clearly now we are releasing people that are not ready to return to society and once set free they pick up where they left off in terms of their crimes,” said Mchunu.
The ANC says it is considering an overhaul of South Africa’s criminal justice system Chairperson of the subcommittee Polly Boshielo who is Mchunu’s cabinet deputy said corruption was just as worrying as violent crime.
“Corruption undermines the rights of our citizens and the ANC will deal ruthlessly and with it. Democracy can only thrive when public funds are accounted for,” said Pholly Boshielo who chairs the committee and also serves as the deputy minister of police in the Government of National Unity.
The ANC is itself at the centre of the country’s corruption problem with several prominent members currently on trial including former National Assembly Speaker Nosiviwe Mapisa Ngcakula, Pule Mabe and Zizi Kodwa, both former spokespersons of the ANC Youth League.
Boshielo said the National Executive Committee was set to entertain recommendations of the party’s integrity commission that those implicated in wrongdoing be made to step aside even if they are not criminally charged.
This, argues the commission, will put the ANC on a morally sound path.