Number of South Africans in foreign prisons and support given to the prisoners and their families in South Africa by the Department of International Relations and Cooperation
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NATIONAL COUNCIL OF PROVINCES
FOR WRITTEN REPLY
QUESTION NO: 245 (CW422E)
PUBLISHED IN IQP: NCOP NO.22-2014 OF 14 NOVEMBER 2014.
Kgoshi SG Thobejane (ANC-Limpopo) to ask the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation:
PQ (CW422E) on number of South Africans in foreign prisons and support given to their families in South Africa.
(1) (a) How many South Africans are in foreign prisons and (b) how does her department communicate with their families;
(2) Whether any assistance is given to affected families to maintain regular contact with prisoners; if not, why not; if so; what are the relevant details?
Reply:
1. (a) As at 31 October 2014, there were 860 South Africans in foreign prisons.
(b) The Department of International Relations and Cooperation communicates with the families by means of regular contact families. DIRCO through its consular services abroad visits imprisoned nationals abroad, maintain telephone contact with families in South Africa, utilises postal services, faxes and as appropriate meets with concerned families in South Africa.
2. South African Embassies play a central role in providing assistance to the families. Concerned families are afforded the opportunity to communicate directly with imprisoned family members as per the regulations of the prisons. DIRCO through its consular services visits imprisoned nationals abroad, maintain telephone contact with families in South Africa, utilises postal services, faxes and as appropriate meets with concerned families in South Africa. Family members are able to send letters to imprisoned nationals abroad through DIRCO for delivery in accordance with rules of respective countries abroad. Families are able to reply via the same channel by posting letters to a South African consular official abroad or handing the family letter to a consular official during a consular to the prison, if permitted by the prison authorities.
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