16 000 bail absconders, rising repeat offences

MORE than 16 000 accused persons are skipping bail as over 18 002 paroled prisoners get re-arrested again for committing crimes.

- MAYIBONGWE MAQHINA

This was revealed in responses by Police Minister Senzo Mchunu and his Correctional Services counterpart Pieter Groenewald in writing to parliamentary questions.

DA MP Kabelo Kgobisa-Ngcaba wrote to Mchunu enquiring about the number of bail absconders with active cases, among other things.

“There is a total of 16 012 bail absconders in the Republic that currently have active cases. It should be noted that bail is granted by the courts and is not enforceable by the South African Police Service,” Mchunu said.

There was a total of 4 516 bail absconders that have cases that are more than five years old.

A further 262 bail absconders with filed cases were foreign nationals.

“Filed cases implies that the case will re-open immediately should the suspect be arrested.”