No blanket amnesty
2003-05-25 21:41
Anesca Smith
Cape Town - About 20 000 awaiting-trial prisoners in South Africa's overcrowded prisons may be released on "free bail" before the end of the year.
Parliament is currently considering this suggestion and will take a decision on the matter soon, spokesperson for correctional services, Tsoeu Tsane, said on Sunday.
As it stands, the plan is to release prisoners who cannot afford bail of R1 000 or less.
"It will definitely not be a blanket amnesty," Ntsane said. "The charges against these prisoners will not be dropped."
Experts say this move will relieve pressure on prisons, but not on courts.
Ntsane said the prisoners who were earmarked for release were those too "poor" to pay bail.
"We simply do not have room to house them."
- Die Burger