Kaya 959 Point of View with Phemelo Motene

60,000 people still awaiting trial some for over a decade

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South Africa’s remand prisons are overflowing, with 60,000 detainees still waiting for their day in court including people who have been behind bars for more than 10 years without sentencing. Parliament heard this week that while many detainees are recent arrivals, thousands have languished in custody for years: 5,000 for more than two years, 430 for between five and seven years, and a handful for more than a decade. Deputy director-general Lucky Charles Mohalaba called the delays deeply troubling. Phemelo speaks to Portfolio Committee Chairperson Kgomotso Ramolobeng about what is fuelling the backlog and what can be done.
19 Nov 2025 4PM English South Africa Education · Careers

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