In a bid to support South Africans convicted abroad, non-profit organisation Baagi Ba South Africa has long advocated for the South African government to adopt international prisoner transfer treaties. These treaties, which exist in countries such as the United States, are designed to help alleviate the hardships faced by offenders incarcerated far from home while facilitating their rehabilitation within a familiar environment.

Glory Matipile’s Push for Change

Glory Matipile, the founder and CEO of Baagi Ba South Africa, believes the rehabilitation of South Africans imprisoned in foreign lands can only be truly effective within South Africa’s correctional system. “Being able to speak the local language and understand the customs are critical to rehabilitation,” Matipile told IOL. She shared that the organisation, which was founded in 2018, is supported by a network of 260 young individuals who work across South Africa, raising awareness and providing support to families with relatives incarcerated overseas.

Despite numerous efforts to collaborate with South African embassies and consulates, Matipile revealed that Baagi Ba South Africa has received little assistance from the government. “We now work directly with organisations in foreign countries to maintain communication between South African prisoners and their families,” she said.

The Need for International Prisoner Transfer

A major challenge faced by families of convicted South Africans abroad is the financial burden of traveling to visit their incarcerated relatives. “In countries like Brazil, the Philippines, and Hong Kong, it is nearly impossible for families to visit due to economic hardship,” Matipile explained. This isolation makes rehabilitation even more difficult, reinforcing the need for a prisoner transfer system.

“South Africa is one of the few countries without an international prisoner transfer programme,” Matipile added. “The United Nations already has provisions for such programmes, and all that’s left is for South Africa to adopt and implement these rules.”

Implementing this programme would not only ease the emotional toll on the prisoners and their families, but it would also aid investigations into drug trafficking and other crimes committed by South Africans abroad. Matipile pointed out that many convicted South Africans were recruited for criminal activities within the country and that bringing them back would allow local authorities to investigate these networks more effectively.

The Dark Reality of Drug Trafficking and Recruitment

Drug trafficking is one of the most common crimes for which South Africans are convicted abroad. Matipile stated that many individuals are tricked into trafficking drugs under false pretenses. Some are promised lucrative jobs or are lured into romantic relationships with individuals they meet on social media, only to find themselves caught in dangerous situations once they arrive in foreign countries.

“When these people reach foreign lands, they often have no way to communicate for help,” Matipile noted. “In many instances, they are forced to swallow drugs or have them strapped to their bodies. They become decoys, while larger shipments of drugs slip through undetected.”

Baagi Ba South Africa works tirelessly to educate South Africans about the dangers of such schemes and to help families identify and avoid fraudulent job offers.

The Role of the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (Dirco)

While the non-profit continues its push for prisoner transfer treaties, the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (Dirco) plays a key role in supporting South Africans arrested abroad. According to Dirco spokesperson Chrispin Phiri, the department ensures that South Africans understand their rights and are aware of the services available to them once they’ve been arrested.

Phiri explained that upon confirmation of a detainee’s South African citizenship, the department provides information on the local legal system, including the possibility of legal aid, appeal procedures, and contacts for local lawyers. The department also assists families in transferring funds to prisoners, up to a maximum of R2,000 per month.

Despite these services, many South Africans arrested abroad opt not to reach out to their consular services due to fear or embarrassment. Phiri emphasized the importance of contacting the South African representatives immediately after an arrest.

Moving Forward: The Need for Change

Glory Matipile remains firm in her belief that the South African government must adopt prisoner transfer treaties as a matter of urgency. “Nelson Mandela fought for the rights of prisoners, and this issue continues to violate those rights,” she said. With hundreds of South Africans languishing in foreign prisons, cut off from their loved ones and unable to properly reintegrate into society, it’s clear that action is needed.

As Baagi Ba South Africa continues to push for change, the hope is that one day, South Africans convicted abroad will be able to serve their sentences closer to home, where they can receive the support they need to rebuild their lives.

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