“What About the Victims?” SABC’s Morning Live Prison Interviews Sparks Backlash

• South Africans had a strong reaction to Morning Live's broadcast from Johannesburg Female Correctional Centre, interviewing women serving time for serious crimes
• One inmate, Idah Lebaka, opened up about her 22-year sentence for murder and aggravated robbery, while another spoke about stealing over R5 million
• Viewers questioned why the programme focused on the inmates' challenges rather than the impact on victims' families

SOUTH AFRICA - SABC's Morning Live took cameras inside the Johannesburg Female Correctional Centre in a segment that has since divided South Africans online. The broadcast featured interviews with female offenders about their crimes, personal regrets, and the rehabilitation programmes available to them, framed against the backdrop of South Africa's growing prison overcrowding crisis.

Among those who spoke was Idah Lebaka, a convicted murderer also found guilty of aggravated robbery, who is currently serving a 22-year sentence. Another inmate discussed how she received a 10-year sentence after stealing more than R5 million.

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Greed or circumstance?

Lebaka's story drew particular attention from viewers. Some noted that she is a qualified chartered accountant who was working as a consultant at the time of her crimes, meaning financial desperation was unlikely to have been a motive.

The segment, which aimed to shed light on the challenges faced by female offenders inside the system, instead triggered a wave of criticism across social media, with many viewers arguing that the wrong people were being centred in the conversation.

View video here:

Mzansi reacts to the segment

South Africans were vocal about their frustrations in the comments:

@CertifiedBoogy asked:

"Did you also interview the victims to delve into their challenges?"

@luyolomkentane wrote:

"Challenges being faced by female prisoners.What about challenges faced by the victim's family?"

@deelee_mog37355 said:

"Poor thing. Who is next to be interviewed of the challenges they face? Rosemary? Oh well, hurry and get to Nandipha because I have a feeling this is where its all going."

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@Mahlats77817380 commented:

"I'm starting to believe one of the reasons crime in this country is fashionable is because criminals are being glorified shame... what are the victims supposed to say?"

@Nok1daM added:

"Greed is what it was that got her there. She is a qualified CA, working as a consultant, she was earning. It was greed. Nothing but greed."

While the backlash dominated the conversation, a smaller number of viewers said they welcomed the rare look into prison life and the rehabilitation work happening inside South Africa's correctional facilities.

3 Briefly News articles on female inmates

• The video of the prisoners received thousands of likes from online users. People could not stop raving about the ladies who made an appearance in the video.
• Men across Mzansi had their eyes glued to a female prisoner busting some moves in a video circulating online.
• South Africa's inmates achieved a 96.2% pass rate during the 2024 National Senior Certificate examination.Chane van Heerden, who was also incarcerated for murder, achieved an aggregate score of 81%.

Source: Briefly News