CAPE TOWN, Western Cape – Democratic Alliance (DA) leader Geordin Hill-Lewis has issued a stark warning over the disappearance of approximately 28,000 parolees and probationers from South Africa’s correctional supervision system, describing the situation as a “catastrophic correctional services failure” that leaves convicted murderers, rapists, and armed robbers effectively roaming unchecked.
In a statement, Hill-Lewis called for immediate intervention, including a nationwide manhunt and the implementation of mandatory electronic monitoring for violent offenders released on parole. He urged Minister of Correctional Services Pieter Groenewald to act within days, not weeks or months, to locate the missing individuals.
“My alarm bells started ringing several years ago when I was mayor,” Hill-Lewis said, recalling the release of roughly 9,000 parolees that coincided with former president Jacob Zuma’s early release from prison. “Within 48 to 72 hours, we saw a serious spike in incidents on the streets of Cape Town. It was very clear that the Department of Correctional Services had no idea where their serious offenders were.”
Hill-Lewis emphasized that the current figure of 28,000 missing parolees—many convicted of violent crimes—represents a far more severe crisis. He cited the tragic case of EFF deputy leader Godrich Gardee, whose daughter was allegedly killed by someone on parole, as a stark example of the human cost of systemic failures. Gardee is currently pursuing legal action against the department.
According to investigator Orin Singh, whose research helped bring the issue to light, the department lacks any functional integrated tracking and tracing system. Hill-Lewis confirmed the DA’s position that there appear to be no resources dedicated to monitoring violent offenders post-release, despite global evidence showing this group is most likely to reoffend.
“If it is true that there is absolutely no capacity, that all units to track and trace have been destroyed, that would be a disgrace,” Hill-Lewis stated. He proposed immediate stopgap measures: publishing names and photographs of the missing parolees nationwide, offering rewards for information, utilizing telecommunications networks to locate cell phones associated with offenders, and mobilizing a coordinated national effort to apprehend them.
He also demanded accountability, questioning how officials tasked with supervising parolees remain employed if they failed to perform their duties. “I’d like to hear from Minister Groenewald what he plans to do about this in the coming days,” Hill-Lewis said.
On longer-term reforms, the DA is proposing mandatory electronic monitoring for violent offenders, aligning South Africa with practices common in developed nations. Hill-Lewis acknowledged fiscal constraints but argued that prioritizing the most dangerous convicted criminals for ankle bracelets, wrist devices, or phone-based tracking is both feasible and essential. “We are actually far behind the curve around the world,” he noted.
The DA leader also addressed other pressing national matters. Regarding the parliamentary impeachment process against the president, Hill-Lewis stated that the committee should proceed with its work—including drafting rules, issuing subpoenas, and scheduling interviews—despite the president’s review application concerning the section 89 report. “There is no need to delay this committee,” he said, warning against allowing legal proceedings to be used to stall accountability.
On immigration policy and rising diplomatic tensions with African states, Hill-Lewis expressed understanding for concerns over government statements that could be interpreted as incitement or xenophobic. “Leaders should be responsible. They should be looking to de-escalate and turn down the temperature rather than pour fuel on the fire,” he said.
He praised Home Affairs Minister Leon Schreiber for efforts to rebuild the department amid legacy challenges, while emphasizing that South Africa’s constitutional values—peaceful dispute resolution, tolerance of diversity, and rejection of vigilante tactics—must guide policy and public discourse. “We absolutely do not resort to vigilanteism and mob tactics. That can never be acceptable in our country,” Hill-Lewis concluded.
