South Africa: increase in number of 'lifers' keeps jail system topped up

South Africa’s prisons are fast filling up with “lifers”, most of them sentenced to time behind bars for murder, violent robbery and rape.

According to the Department of Correctional Services, there is an increase in the number of people being sentenced to life in prison for these heinous crimes.

Department spokesman Logan Maistry said: “January 2017 alone recorded a total of 19 lifers. This is a matter that requires attention.”

Maistry was responding to questions linked to legal action taken by Westville prison inmate Erwin Christmas and 10 others, all of whom were sentenced to life imprisonment in Durban’s Medium B section.

They are challenging Correctional Services Minister Michael Masutha for not granting them parole.

Christmas, who has spent 15 years behind bars for killing Anthony Hofert in 2001, believes he should have been considered for parole in November 2014.

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