Fusi Mofikeng- 19 years in prison for a crime he did not commit

Fusi Mofikeng spent 19 years in jail for a crime he did not commit. Here, senior Wits Justice Project journalist Ruth Hopkins takes him back to the scene of his arrest.

The problems faced by awaiting trial detaines

Independent prison visitor speaks at the Wits Justice Project’s “It Could Be You” talk show.

Ex-prisoner and torture victim on why he commited crime

Ex-prisoner and torture victim Bafo Duru is asked why he commited crime as a young man at the Wits Justice Project’s “It Could Be You” talk show, held at Constitution Hill

It Could be You Talkshow- Photo gallery!

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Judges have a duty to visit prison

by Tshepang Sebulela

The Wits Justice Project recently hosted a talk show at the former women’s prison at Constitution Hill. The talk show was held under the banner “It Could Be You.” Speakers included former offenders, world renowned photographer David Goldblatt, former treason detainee Alan Fine and Constitutional Court judge Justice Edwin Cameron.

In his speech Justice Cameron spoke of the conditions in private prisons. He found them to be satisfactory. He also spoke of the dedication of correctional services personnel. He made reference to Section 99 of the Correctional Services Act of 1998 subsection (1).  This clause states that a judge of the Constitutional Court, Supreme Court of Appeal or High Court, and a magistrate within his or her area of jurisdiction, may visit a correctional centre at any time. Subsection (2) gives the presiding officers access to any part of a correctional centre and any documentary record, and may interview any inmate and bring any matter to the attention of the National Commissioner, the Minister, the National Council or the Inspecting Judge.