Vicky Momberg’s sentence expired, released from prison
Vicky Momberg was released from prison on 27 December 2019 after benefitting from President Ramaphosa’s decision to grant a remission of sentence.
Speaking to eNCA, Correctional Services deputy commissioner Logan Maistry explained that President Cyril Ramaphosa announced a special remission of her sentence on 16 December.
“The inmate in question was released from custody [on 27 December], after having reached her sentence expiry date following the special remission of the sentence announced by President Ramaphosa on 16 December 2019”.
Department of Corrections deputy commissioner Logan Maistry
Why was Vicky Momberg released?
Much has been said about the possible political reasons for the president’s decision to remit the sentences of certain classes of offenders.
What nobody really expected though would be that his decision would see convicted racist Momberg benefitting with a shortened sentence.
The president announced that he would remit the expiry date of sentences for specific offences. The decision affected 51 603 offenders, probationers, and parolees.
Recap fo Momberg’s case
Momberg had served a part of her sentence at the Johannesburg Correctional centre. As a result, the remission of sentence granted by the President has effectively served her sentence and is now a free woman.
Vicki Momberg was infamously convicted of crimen injuria when she was found to have used the k-word more than 40 times while addressing law enforcement officials.
Momberg made the headlines again earlier this year when she failed to file a bail extension while preparing an appeal. As a result, she was found to be “on the run”; which resulted in a warrant of arrest being issued against her on 1 August 2019.
Momberg ultimately handed herself over to the police in November. She was ordered back to jail when her case was heard by the Randburg magistrates court.
Momberg’s release no excuse to be racist
Speaking out after Momberg’s release, the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) said that racism shouldn’t be tolerated, with CEO Tseliso Thipanyane saying:
“Miss Momberg served her time and she has been released early like many other prisoners; there is nothing we can do about that. However, one hopes that this should not be seen as an excuse for people to continue going against the principles of our Constitution and using k-words and other racist remarks.”
SAHRC CEO Tseliso Thipanyane
Remission of sentences explained
Approximately 51 036 criminal offenders out of 230 000 offenders will be granted special reminision. However, Maistry explains that out of those 51 036, more than 71% (36 000) were already in the community correctional system.
He explains that they were serving their sentences in their respective communities. Only 8.99%, or 14 000, are from correntional centres and are currently serving sentences in custody.
“Each file is carefully considered, making sure that those inmates have completed rehabilitation programs; making sure that they have compelted pre-released programs before they are released into the community.”
This process is to ensure that every inmate is succesffully reintergrated into communites. He adds:
“One must also note that every inmate will be released back into the community at some point or the other.”
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