IFP Welcomes New Restorative Justice Programme

MEDIA STATEMENT RELEASED BY:
MR KOOS VAN DER MERWE MP
IFP SPOKESPERSON ON JUSTICE

MS SYBIL SEATON
IFP SPOKESPERSON ON CORRECTIONAL SERVICES

February 23, 2007

The Inkatha Freedom Party's Chief Whip and Spokesperson on Justice, Mr Koos van der Merwe MP, today welcomed the announcement of a proposed restorative justice programme, which will aim to rehabilitate petty criminals through alternative therapeutic and rehabilitative measures, rather than sending them to jail.

"The IFP applauds the National Prosecuting Authority's leadership in creating this programme. This will hopefully go a long way in making sure that new petty offenders don't become repeating offenders or habitual criminals," said Mr van der Merwe.

He added: "The IFP supports this very creative initiative and we would like to see further information made public on the specifics of this programme."

Ms Sybil Seaton MP, the Inkatha Freedom Party's Spokesperson on Correctional Services also welcomed the new programme.

"The IFP has always been calling for alternative measures of sentencing for petty criminals and it is an issue that the IFP feels strongly about. We believe that petty offenders should not be put in jail with hardened criminals. Furthermore, this will go a long way in helping to ease the overcrowding in prisons," concluded Ms Seaton.


FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Mr Koos van der Merwe MP: 082 444 4944
Mrs Sybil Seaton MP: 083 412 0075
Liezl van der Merwe: 083 611 7470