Sifiso Makhubo: Judicial Inspectorate investigating suicide

The Judicial Inspectorate for Correctional Services has confirmed to the DA that it will investigate the suicide of alleged serial rapist, Sifiso Makhubo, at Johannesburg prison. He was due to face 118 charges of rape, kidnapping, attempted murder and robbery in court yesterday. These were allegedly committed whilst he was out on parole after serving only eight years of his 15 year sentence for the rape of a young girl.

This is devastating news for his alleged victims who will now never see justice take its course.

Mr Makhubo was in a single cell and reportedly hanged himself with his blanket. This raises the question as to how he managed to achieve this without a correctional services official noticing.

Last year, there were 20 reported suicides in correctional facilities across the country with half of these being hangings. Although this figure is minimal considering the prison population, continuous surveillance of at-risk inmates should be done.

The Inspectorate raised concerns last year that eight out of ten hangings occurred in single cells or special care units. Most concerning is that officials were unable to say when the suicide occurred as they found the inmate in the morning. The special care unit is supposed to be patrolled regularly and officials should monitor suicidal inmates.

Furthermore, the Department should be very concerned of the implications of this incident as those who are fighting extradition to South Africa due to mental health issues could cite this as an example to appeal extradition.

Mr Makhubo should have stood trial and if found guilty, faced the harshest sentence so that his victims could have closure. True justice has been denied to the 35 women and children.

Statement issued by James Selfe MP, DA Shadow Minister of Correctional Services, July 26 2013

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