Concerns have arisen about the high percentage of parolees becoming reoffenders after being released onto the Cape Flats.

A report released by the Department of Correctional Services (DCS) have shown that 10.6% of over 2 000 offenders who were set free on parole over the past year had committed various violent crimes including rape and murder.

The report comes amid questions by DA MP Nicholas Gotsell to Minister Dr Pieter Groenewald, about the numbers of parolees released over the last year in various communities including Delft, Elsies River, Manenberg and various others.

Gotsell says the Judicial Inspectorate of Correctional Service (JICS), during a meeting of the Select Committee on Security and Justice, pointed out major deficiencies and dysfunctions in the parole system, which support the DA's call for a total parole review.

Gotsell: "Between February last year and February 2025, across the Cape Flats 2 395 parolees were released into communities, and shockingly 254 have reoffended – which is a very disturbing 10.6% recidivism rate in one year.

"The recidivism rate in hotspots like Delft and Elsies River is even higher. In the same period, 201 parolees were released in Delft, with 73 parolees having reoffended in the same period. This is a shocking 36.3% re-offence rate."

Shockingly, the report also reveals that of the parolees released in these areas many have been re-arrested for various violent crimes such as rape, murder, robbery and firearm-related charges.

Gotsell adds: "Crucially, 27 of the reoffenders committed crimes involving firearms; a chilling statistic in the context of the gang turf wars and drug-related violence that continue to destabilise these communities."

The report also reveals that the parolees had been sentenced to a combined 408 years but served only 176 years collectively.

Gotsell called for a review of the parole system by highlighting the link between the lack of rehabilitation and organised crime.

He says: "There is a clear causal link between the combination of the lack of rehabilitation in correctional facilities and early release of violent offenders on the one hand, and the intensification of organised crime in the Cape Flats on the other.

"The revolving door of incarceration and parole is feeding directly into gang recruitment and drug trafficking networks, escalating the bloodshed and lawlessness."