Police union welcomes parole placements as part of Covid-19 battle
The Police and Prisons Civil Rights Union (Popcru) has come out in full support of the decision by President Cyril Ramaphosa to place some 19 000 prisoners on parole.
The early release of the prisoners is part of the government’s attempts to curb the spread of coronavirus in prisons.
Six correctional facilities in South Africa has confirmed cases of Covid-19.
There have been two deaths at an Eastern Cape prison while the total number of positive cases stood at 172 on Thursday.
Popcru says the overcrowding and understaffing that plague many of the country’s prisons are putting strain on the health of both inmates and correctional officials.
The union’s Richard Mamabolo says the intervention will go a long way in easing the burden on frontline staff members.
"We further urge that those caught breaking lockdown rules should not be taken to police holding cells as they are equally crowded, and rather be charged through paying guilt fines in avoiding avoidable infections.”
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Six correctional facilities in South Africa has confirmed cases of Covid-19 with two deaths at an Eastern Cape prison. READ: SAA to continue repatriation, cargo flights The total number of positive cases stood at 172 on Thursday.