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Prisoners of poverty: unaffordable bail keeps thousands behind bars

Newly launched Bail Fund has assisted 154 people so far

From left to right: Ben de Vos (Gun Free SA) and former remand detainees Rabia Welcome, Ravona Solomon and Neo Smouse. They spoke at the World Safety Conference on Friday. Photo: Liezl Human

An estimated 3,300 people are stuck in South African prisons because they cannot afford bail of R1,000 or less. They have not been convicted of a crime.
They are exposed to prison conditions for weeks or months.
The Bail Fund, supported by philanthropic funding, has launched a pilot project to pay small bail amounts for low-risk detainees.

Ravona Solomon was arrested and charged with possession of drugs. She was granted bail of R1,000 but could not afford it. The magistrate reduced it to R800 but still it…

Read More: Prisoners of poverty: unaffordable bail keeps thousands behind bars.

Nkosi Johnson was only 12 years old when he died after having AIDS, becoming a symbol for HIV
awareness in South Africa.

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  1. Interview with a pirate:

    There was a pirate who had agreed to do an interview with a local tv station. The reporter was very courteous and professional, giving a bit of background as to the pirate\’s business. She then began interviewing him.

    \”So Mr. Longbeard, are there any risks to your business? I see you have a peg leg- how did that come about?\”

    \”Well, y\’see I were sailing along the coast of South Africa, looking to plunder some locals when as I boarded the small boat from the ship, a great white shark came up and got my leg clean off. \’twas scary yes, but thus is the life of a pirate.\”

    \”Wow, that is pretty scary- well, how about your hook? What happened to your hand with that?\”

    \”Oh now that\’s quite the tale, y\’see I were fighting a rival pirate, and we had locked swords. We had been fighting for a few hours, and were both terribly fatigued. I had a bit of exhaustion and confusion, and when I went to block one of his sword blows, I met him with me hand instead of me sword. Took it right off, but it shocked him so much I managed to get him back pretty good and have him submit. So the hook hand was given as a replacement.\”

    \”Wow. Simply fascinating. Now, what about your eye patch? How did that happen?\”

    \”Well, one day, a seagull was flying overhead, and I looked up. It pooped right in me eye.\”

    \”… Well wow. I must admit, I wouldn\’t think just seagull poop could damage the eye that badly.\”

    \”Oh, I forgot to mention… it were me first day with the hook.\”