Pretoria – More than 17 000 inmates across the country were expected to vote today, Wednesday (29 May 2024).
Justice and Correctional Services Minister Ronald Lamola visited Kgoši Mampuru II Correctional Facility in Gauteng, where over 2 900 inmates were registered to vote.
Correctional Services Deputy Minister Phathekile Holomisa was at Mthatha Correctional Facility in the Eastern Cape.
The minister and his deputy observed voting by inmates to ensure that they were afforded their democratic right to vote in a free and fair manner and in accordance with the Electoral Commission’s standards and prescribed practices.
According to Section 4 (b) of the Electoral Act, inmates in South Africa have a right to vote in the country’s 2024 national and provincial elections.
Minister Lamola said 17 129 inmates registered to vote at various correctional centres across the country.
Kgoši Mampuru II recorded the largest number (2 908) of registered inmate voters.
“We have created a conducive environment to enable inmates to vote in a safe and controlled setting,” said Minister Lamola.
“I am impressed to see that the voting processes are going well, and I commend IEC officials as well as DCS officials who are on duty to ensure a smooth election.”
National Commissioner of the Department of Correctional Services (DCS), Makgothi Thobakgale has been deployed to KwaZulu-Natal, by the Justice, Crime Prevention and Security (JCPS) Cluster, to ensure safe and secure elections in the province.
