Pagad convict seeks parole in Gleemoor

A former Americans gang and People Against Gangsterism and Drugs (Pagad) member wants to settle in Gleemoor now that he is eligible for parole after serving 20 years of his life sentence.

Faizel Samsodien, 54, is serving a life sentence at Voorberg prison. He was convicted of five counts of attempted murder and possession of a firearm and ammunition in May 2004. He was also convicted of escaping from custody, in August 2004, and of murder, robbery, and possession of a firearm and ammunition, in November 2005.

Athlone police station, together with the Athlone Community Police Forum and prison officials met with about 200 residents at the Gleemoor Baptist Church on Thursday June 6, to discuss the possibility of Samsodien staying in Gleemoor if he is released.

Samsodien wants to live there because his support system is there, according to Lawrence Venter, the regional manager of the province’s Department of Correctional Services.

“We do these community consultations because we don't want to have situations where the community is not informed about parolees in their community,” he said.

Athlone CPF deputy chairman Vernon Piedt said he knew Samsodien well and was confident he had reformed. He urged the community to welcome him back should he be released.

“Faizel was sentenced and did his time, repented, and had remorse. Faizel was a guy who was straightforward and his yes was his yes. He got involved to fight crime, but things went wrong. Grace and forgiveness are important. I want to welcome him back and hope that he may be able to teach us one or two things. There are so many bigger offenders walking around in the community. Don't label people. Let us not judge him, and if he comes, let us welcome him. Let us see him for who he is now and take it forward.”

Athlone police chief Colonel Junaid Alcock said Samsodien should be given a chance should he be rehabilitated, and should he be released, his parole conditions would be strict and police would do random check-ups on him.

“Faizel is a special case for the community. My work is to accept him if he is released into the area. Faizel has fallen flat, but it’s not how you fall, it’s how you get up. He has shown that he is ready to come back into society. My role is to ensure that he complies with his parole conditions. We will do our part to ensure that he is treated with dignity and respect. He is someone that is guaranteed a job, a home to stay in, and accepted by a mosque. What else is there still for us to do?”

Parole board chairman Dr Joseph Jonkers said life sentence parole was available after 20 to 25 years served. Sometimes the parole board recommended six months day parole to help the offender adapt to changes in their old neighbourhood.

“This will then help them to integrate in a community, which they last knew 20 years ago. In most instances, it will happen like that.”

Correctional Services psychologist Kanyiswa Mkaba said Samsodien had attended correctional, social work, anger-management, life-skills, psychological, and spiritual programmes and completed plastering, tiling and assistant-chef courses.

“He is the ameer amongst the Muslim inmates and is still very active in the Islamic religion,” she said.

Athlone resident Sharief Collins said the fact that Samsodien had joined Pagad after being an Americans gang member showed he had changed his ways, but something had gone wrong. He had served his time and deserved a second chance.

“He is going to be exposed to the community of Gleemoor. Back then, everyone supported Pagad. He can rest assured of my support. More victimisation shouldn't go on. He is also someone's son and brother and will start a new life. He needs all the support as it will be difficult to find work.”