What are you doing about it?
We've asked the minister to come next week and explain to us what is happening, because this is a great threat to society. It is his responsibility to make sure that our prisons are secured.
Six prisoners broke out of Pollsmoor, 16 escaped from Sun City, five prisoners awaiting trial for murder escaped in transit?
One can't imagine how such escapes take place.
Was it a mistake to amalgamate correctional services and justice?
I wouldn't say that.
Do you have time to do proper oversight of both?
We rely on the reports that we get from the department.
How often have you interrogated the department?
We don't interrogate just for the sake of interrogation. We have to address issues that arise from the reports.
What have the reports been telling you?
We have been getting positive reports of improvements, patting themselves on the back that good work is being done.
Don't you interrogate them on their reports?
We have been doing that, but as parliament we're not in the business of witch-hunting.
How many oversight visits have you made to the prisons?
I can't say offhand.
Any?
We have been to various prisons... When you get there you'll inspect the facilities, you'll listen to the reports...
Do you ask about the shift system?
We talk to the officials in charge, we demand written reports. And from all that there is nothing that one could say leaves anything to be desired.
What is the role of the judicial inspectorate for correctional services?
We have a highly qualified, dedicated judge who takes his work very seriously and who is very proactive ... He has not brought to our attention that there are challenges which could lead to these escapes.
Doesn't he have to give prior notice before he can visit a prison?
That has never been brought to our attention.
He can pitch up with no warning and demand full access?
We expect him to make surprise visits.
Would you say it's a crisis?
We want to have it from the horse's mouth. In the past we made the mistake of relying on officials, we never really interrogated the minister or deputy ministers. And the picture we were getting is that things are improving.
You never interrogated them about the state of our prisons?
We interrogate the officials. The ministers come and give us all these political speeches which assure us that things are improving. But these escapes are painting a different picture.
Will you ask why there's still only an acting commissioner after almost a year?
That concerns us because there has not been stability in the department...