Cele calls for bail and parole reforms

FORMER police minister Bheki Cele has highlighted to Parliament the need to relook the granting of bail and parole to offenders who commit other offences upon their release.

- MAYIBONGWE MAQHINA [e-mail]

Speaking on the possible reforms that could be undertaken, Cele said both parole and bail need to be looked at very closely.

He said one major problem for the police was bail. "What I am always told is that it is a constitutional right. That thing called bail is a mess," he said.

The former minister was giving his testimony at the parliamentary inquiry probing allegations that were made by KwaZulu-Natal police commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi.

Cele complained about cash-in-transit heists suspects being granted bail, something he said frustrated the police. He also said there was also the question of corruption that kept cropping up with bail.

"I don't know if the members are aware of the fire that is burning around Judge (Aubrey) Ledwaba with bail of (Katiso) Molefe and that he was given R2.5 million to grant that bail. So there is that."

Cele added that there was "another animal" called parole.