Sonke endorses DJF submission to the Portfolio Committee on Justice & Correctional Services on 2015-2016 budget

Sonke endorses the Detention Justice Forum’s submission to the Portfolio Committee on Justice & Correctional Services on the Department of Correctional Services 2015-2016 budget. The Forum is calling for the Department to cease its wasteful expenditure trying to defend against claims for damages in matters already dealt with by the courts. The Department is wasting funds by defending against claims being brought by ex-inmates like Zaid Seedat who developed active tuberculosis in Pollsmoor Remand Detention Facility, in a matter that is factually identical to the Lee vs Minister of Correctional Services case, already adjudicated at the Constitutional Court. The Detention Justice Forum urges the Department to instead re-direct resources to ensure it complies with constitutional standards, laws, policies and its own standing orders to decrease the spread of infectious diseases like TB, and which would also reduce its own risk of continuing to be sued for damages in similar cases.