Independent News Eswatini
No Result
View All Result
Wednesday, July 16, 2025
  • Login
  • Register
  • News
    • Region News
      • Hhohho
      • Manzini
      • Shiselweni
      • Lubombo
    • Crime and Courts
    • Diplomacy
  • Business
    • Banking
    • Economy
    • Energy
    • Technology
    • Finance
    • Markets
  • Lifestyle
    • Fashion & Beauty
    • Food & Drink
    • Home & Garden
    • Motoring
  • Culture
    • Art & Design
    • Books
    • Entertainment News
    • Film & TV
    • Music
    • On-Stage
  • Travel
    • Travel News
    • Travel Tips
    • Destinations
    • Tourism
    • Hotels
  • Health
  • Sports
    • Local Sports
    • International Sports
    • Soccer
    • Legend Corner
  • Climate
    • Environment
  • More
    • Our Team
    • Contact us
    • Advertise
    • Competitions
    • Work for us
SWATI LIST
Independent News Eswatini
  • News
    • Region News
      • Hhohho
      • Manzini
      • Shiselweni
      • Lubombo
    • Crime and Courts
    • Diplomacy
  • Business
    • Banking
    • Economy
    • Energy
    • Technology
    • Finance
    • Markets
  • Lifestyle
    • Fashion & Beauty
    • Food & Drink
    • Home & Garden
    • Motoring
  • Culture
    • Art & Design
    • Books
    • Entertainment News
    • Film & TV
    • Music
    • On-Stage
  • Travel
    • Travel News
    • Travel Tips
    • Destinations
    • Tourism
    • Hotels
  • Health
  • Sports
    • Local Sports
    • International Sports
    • Soccer
    • Legend Corner
  • Climate
    • Environment
  • More
    • Our Team
    • Contact us
    • Advertise
    • Competitions
    • Work for us
No Result
View All Result
Independent News Eswatini
No Result
View All Result
Home Local

Prisoners were not released on Covid-19 parole – PRO

Vusi Ndlangamandla by Vusi Ndlangamandla
July 9, 2020
in Local, News
Reading Time: 2 mins read
0

His Majesty's Correction Services Band

Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Mbabane: Prisons’ spokesperson, Gugulethu Dlamini, said she needed to set the record straight that the recently released prisoners had not been freed as part of the Covid-19 parole.

“The freed inmates are still part of the prisons but have only been let go through a long existing program called Extra-Mural Penal Employment (EPE). The spokesperson said she was aware of speculation that the inmates had been released due to Covid-19 parole which is far from the truth, adding that Eswatini is unlike other countries including the Republic of South Africa, which freed thousands of its inmates amidst the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic.

Dlamini said the freed inmates are common prisoners which serve time for petty crimes and while in prison learn skills which they use on liberation. Dlamini said the EPE program allows the correctional services to release such inmates to finish their sentences at home, while at the same time sticking to set rules like waking up every morning and going to do a chore in line with what they had learnt in jail.

Dlamini said the EPE program is kind of like the Community Service Program which is meted by the courts where prisoners are sentenced to do community work for a period of time. “The difference between the EPE and the Community Service Program is that the former goes via the correctional services while the latter is monitored directly from the courts,” said the spokesperson.     

Overcrowding in maximum section

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

The prisons’ spokesperson revealed that there is overcrowding at the Matsapha maximum section, which has made it difficult for prisoners to ably observe the social distancing regulation. She said notwithstanding, the prisoners are cautious of safety measures and they abide by all the other rules, in addition to reminding each other of adhering to precautionary measures. Dlamini said it is amazing that prisoners would not take advantage of the Covid-19 situation and seek to escape from prison.

They would do this by being reckless with their lives in terms of hygiene and adhering to regulation, all in an effort to contract the virus which would lead to them being isolated and perhaps released. “Prisoners have done all sorts of ridiculous things to escape from jail but none have taken advantage of the Covid-19 situation,” said the spokesperson. She added that in fact, the prisoners are suspicious of the warders and not as welcoming due to the latter being free to roam around and thus exposing themselves to the risk of contracting the deadly virus.

ADVERTISEMENT
WhatsApp Icon Follow our WhatsApp Channel for the latest news: Join Now
Vusi Ndlangamandla

Vusi Ndlangamandla

Discussion about this post

ADVERTISEMENT
  • Dr SD Gumbi

    Gospel giant Dr SD Gumbi dies at 79

    63 shares
    Share 25 Tweet 16
  • Man admits to defrauding pension fund of E128 000

    19 shares
    Share 8 Tweet 5
  • Azul shuts down Sidwashini lounge after brief stint

    16 shares
    Share 6 Tweet 4
  • Businessman claims E250 000 extortion in adultery dispute

    13 shares
    Share 5 Tweet 3
  • Inyatsi CEO linked to Grit Construction

    153 shares
    Share 61 Tweet 38
ADVERTISEMENT

Newsletter

ADVERTISEMENT

Business

  • Banking
  • Economy
  • Energy
  • Finance
  • Markets
  • Money

Travel

  • Culture & Experiences
  • Destinations
  • Tourism
  • Hotels
  • Travel News
  • Travel Tips

Useful Links

  • Contact Us
  • Our Team
  • Advertisement
  • Competitions
  • Privacy Policy
Independent News Eswatini

Independent News Eswatini, founded in 2007 and based in Mbabane, is a private media house and the fastest-growing weekly publication in the country. It focuses on investigative journalism, government accountability, corruption exposure, business insights, technology, and economic analysis.

© 2025 Independent News - A publication of Mveleza Publishing

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password? Sign Up

Create New Account!

Fill the forms below to register

*By registering into our website, you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy.
All fields are required. Log In

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In

Download our App

Add
No Result
View All Result
  • News
    • Region News
      • Hhohho
      • Manzini
      • Shiselweni
      • Lubombo
    • Crime and Courts
    • Diplomacy
  • Business
    • Banking
    • Economy
    • Energy
    • Technology
    • Finance
    • Markets
  • Lifestyle
    • Fashion & Beauty
    • Food & Drink
    • Home & Garden
    • Motoring
  • Culture
    • Art & Design
    • Books
    • Entertainment News
    • Film & TV
    • Music
    • On-Stage
  • Travel
    • Travel News
    • Travel Tips
    • Destinations
    • Tourism
    • Hotels
  • Health
  • Sports
    • Local Sports
    • International Sports
    • Soccer
    • Legend Corner
  • Climate
    • Environment
  • More
    • Our Team
    • Contact us
    • Advertise
    • Competitions
    • Work for us
SWATI JOBS

© 2025 Independent News - A publication of Mveleza Publishing

This website uses cookies. By continuing to use this website you are giving consent to cookies being used. Visit our Privacy and Cookie Policy.