Acknowledgement The African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (ACHPR) wishes to express its appreciation to the Government of the Republic of South Africa (RSA) for extending an invitation to its Special Rapporteur on Prisons and Conditions of Detention in Africa to visit and inspect prisons and other places of detention in the country. The Special Rapporteur is grateful to the authorities for their hospitality and support during the period of the mission and is particularly thankful to the authorities for their care and concern when she was taken ill during the mission. A special note of appreciation is extended to the Ministers, Deputy Ministers and Director Generals who found time to meet with the Special Rapporteur in spite of their tight schedule. The Special Rapporteur also wishes to thank the staff members who organised the mission and particularly those who accompanied the delegation throughout the mission. The Special Rapporteur is equally grateful to all the NGOs, Independent Human Rights Institutions and other civil society bodies that found time to meet with her. The Special Rapporteur would also like to recognise the openness and frankness of the prison authorities as well as the detainees. Together, they facilitated our work and we hope such openness will continue so as to enhance the condition of detention of persons deprived of their liberty. It is also important to acknowledge the remarkable services of the drivers and the security personnel assigned to the Special Rapporteur during the period of the mission. 6 Special Rapporteur on Prisons Mission to South Africa 14 – 30 June 2004