'Paroled' man held for theft

2003-06-06 09:11

Adriaan Basson

Pretoria - The brother of a former national correctional services commissioner, "incorrectly" paroled in 1999 was arrested again just more than a month ago - this time in connection with an armed robbery.

Khulekani Sithole's brother, Thabo Mohapi, was arrested in the Free State and released on R10 000 bail. He will appear in court again on June 18.

These details emerged when Johan Wilkins, senior Gauteng correctional services official and former chair of Zonderwater Prison's parole board, testified before the Jali Commission on Wednesday.

Wilkins also made a "speculative" calculation that Mohapi should not have been released on parole before May 4 2002. If he's right, Mohapi was released 16 months too soon.

Mohapi was sentenced to 14 years in jail in 1993 for theft, housebreaking and being in possession of dagga.

Two administrative officials in the department also testified on Wednesday.

Marius de Jager, secretary to the chair of Pretoria Central's parole board, confirmed Mohapi had not been present when his parole application was considered and approved on September 6 1999.

He also confirmed that then-provincial correctional services commissioner Thami Nxumalo and Pretoria then-area manager Zebilon Monama had been present when a new profile report was drawn up for Mohapi and that his parole had been approved by Nxumalo.

This made him uncomfortable as it was the first time a provincial commissioner had come to the parole board in person and "ordered" its chair to fix a release date.

Mohapi was released on December 3 1999 and went to live in the Free State.

Daniel Swart, an official at Harrismith correctional services office, testified on Thursday it was the first time in his career he'd come across a prisoner who had been out on parole for more than five years.

- Beeld