Katlego Sekhu
The Department of Correctional Services recently presented its annual report to the Portfolio Committee on Justice and Correctional Services. The chief deputy commissioner, Joseph Katenga, informed the committee there had been 90 escapes in the 2022–23 financial year, compared to the 117 escapes reported in the 2020–21 financial year.
This means fewer prisoners have escaped from South African prisons despite the growing population at correctional services facilities across the country.
In light of this, 959 Breakfast had a discussion about crime and what really motivates criminals to do what they do. The conversation highlighted socio-economic factors and what happens in other countries, such as India.
During the conversation, an anonymous police officer shared his insights on the root causes of crime in the country. He emphasized that the growing population, in relation to the number of police officers, is a major contributing factor. Additionally, he acknowledged the role of poverty in driving criminal behaviour, although he noted that not all criminals fit this profile. Some individuals involved in robberies, for example, spend their ill-gotten gains on luxury items like expensive clothing and alcohol before returning to the streets to commit further crimes. The police officer also raised concerns about the prevalence of illegal firearms, which exacerbate the crime problem.
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