How is parole for “lifers” fair?

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By Brig Dirk Lambrecths

QUESTION
A reader wants to know what the purpose is of a life sentence if such convicted criminals/inmates may apply or become eligible for parole after having served a specified part of their sentence, which also seems to differ from one offender to another.

ANSWER
The death sentence in South Africa was officially abolished 30 years ago when the Constitutional Court on 6 June 1995, ruled in S v Makwanyane & Another 1995 3 SA 391 (CC), this type of sentence as unconstitutional. This means that a life sentence is now the maximum sentence to which any sentenced offenders can be sentenced in South Africa.

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[This is only an extract of an article published in Servamus: June 2025. This article is available for purchase.]

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