6 APRIL 2000
The Minister of Correctional Services, Mr Ben Skosana MP, announced in Parliament yesterday the appointment by President Thabo Mbeki of Judge Johannes Fagan as Inspecting Judge of Correctional Services. Judge Fagan succeeds Judge John Trengove, who resigned in March 1999.
Judge Fagan was appointed in terms of Correctional Services Act no 111 of 1998. His responsibilities include inspecting and arranging for the inspection of prisons in order to report on the treatment of prisoners in prisons and on conditions and any corrupt or dishonest practices in prisons.
He receives and deals with complaints submitted by the National Council, the Minister, the Commissioner, a Visitors' Committee and in cases of urgency, Independent Prison Visitors. He may also deal with any complaint.
He is expected to submit a report on each inspection to the Minister, which must be tabled in Parliament.
Judge Fagan started his profession as an Advocate in 1952 in Cape Town. He was a member of the Cape Bar Council for many years. In 1959 he served as a member of the Rotary Club of Cape Town and was involved in youth activities, student exchange programmes and the eradication of alien vegetation in the Cape Peninsula.
In 1974 he was appointed as Acting Judge in the Cape Provincial Division, and three years later he became a permanent Judge. He served as a member of the National Institute for Crime Prevention and Rehabilitation of Offenders (NICRO).
In 1978 Judge Fagan became chairperson of the Board of the Institute of Criminology at the University of Cape Town. In 1992 he was appointed as Deputy Judge President of the Cape Province Division. He became involved in civil legislation, and presided over 280 criminal trails including the 'Crossbow' murder trail in 1992 and the 'Worcester shopping mall bomb' murder trial in 1997.
Judge Fagan commenced his duties on the 1 April 2000 and Minister Skosana wished him success in his term of office as the Inspecting Judge.
Issued by Government Communication and Information System (GCIS) on behalf of the Ministry of Correctional Services
CONTACT: Mr Andrew Aphane
Ministerial Liaison Officer
Tel: (021) 462-2314/5/6
Fax: (021) 465-4375
Cell: 082-579-2511