Correctional Services Minister Pieter Groenewald has unveiled a bold plan to deport foreign nationals serving prison sentences in South Africa, in a bid to tackle the country’s overcrowded correctional system and slash its soaring incarceration costs.
According to SABC News, the initiative is being developed in collaboration with the Department of Home Affairs and other state entities. Groenewald stated that approximately 24,000 foreign inmates are currently housed in South African prisons, costing taxpayers a staggering R11 million per day.
“This is an unsustainable burden on our system,” Groenewald said, adding that diplomatic agreements and bilateral frameworks—particularly with neighboring nations like Zimbabwe and Mozambique—will be key to ensuring these inmates can complete their sentences in their countries of origin.
The minister referenced a precedent set in October 2024, when three foreign nationals (two Mozambican, one Zimbabwean), all serving life sentences, were granted parole and deported. While the move was controversial, it has paved the way for broader discussions around prisoner repatriation.
However, the plan is not without hurdles. Groenewald acknowledged the challenges of international cooperation, including ensuring that partner countries are willing—and equipped—to house the transferred inmates. “We are committed to working within international legal standards, but we also must protect South Africa’s resources and restore balance to our correctional system,” he said.
Though still in its early phases, the proposal has generated cautious optimism as a potential breakthrough in South Africa’s ongoing correctional reform efforts. If implemented successfully, it could signal a major shift in how the country handles foreign offenders, balancing legal obligations with financial and operational realities.
