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OPEN AIR: Parole officers in the Johannesburg CBD working outside. Photo: Busisiwe Mbatha

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• Parole officers still 'homeless'

The officers have been attending to parolees on the pavement of Frederick Street, since they were locked out of their building following a dispute over unpaid rent. Parolees' records were locked inside.

The Gauteng correctional services department and the national department of public works (DPW) have been blaming each other for not settling the R1.3-million bill owed to building owners Numprop.

Numprop lawyer Tsiamo Vilakazi said they received a payment verification form from the correctional service department yesterday.

"The form is a confirmation that they will pay the money owed and we expect to receive it by Friday," Vilakazi said.

When the Sowetan first visited the area last week the officers were working from outside the building, on two desks, without chairs, serving parolees in full view of the public.

On Sowetan's second visit this week the officials were working in the parking lot inside the building's yard, with their desks strategically hidden behind the walls.

Correctional Services spokesman Ofentse Morwane, said they wanted the officers back in their building.- sifilel@sowetan.co.za