GRAAFF-REINET NEWS - Nearly 100 offenders in Graaff-Reinet are off the hook as beneficiaries of President Cyril Ramaphosa's special remission announcement last year, which saw offenders' sentences drastically reduced.
According to Correctional Services Spokesperson, Johan Gerber, there were 70 local parolees and 28 probationers who benefited from the remission.
"They were already released from the Correctional Centres and were serving the remainder of their sentences in the community. Their sentence expiry dates were advanced with the special remission allocated," Gerber explained.
Those jailed or on parole for crimes such as sexual offences, murder, attempted murder, high treason, domestic violence, sabotage and terrorism, robbery and child abuse, were not considered for the special remission.
Offenders declared dangerous or sentenced to life imprisonment also didn't make the cut.
Another 36 parolees who are currently serving the remainder of their sentences, also benefited from the special remission. According to Gerber, their sentences will expire on different dates, depending on each parolee's specific sentence and date of sentence.
A spokesperson for the Graaff-Reinet SAPS, on Monday 23 March, said the police are not aware of any crimes committed by the parolees or probationers after the special remission.
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