The Portfolio Committee on Correctional Services received a briefing yesterday from the Department of Correctional Services (DCS) on how the department has responded to the Auditor-General’s repeat findings on its lagging ICT strategy, which comprises its integrated inmate management system (IMMS), and audio visual (AV) and public telephone systems.
These are three critical aspects integral to the DCS’s security apparatus and form the backbone of its transition to an automated information security system.
On IMMS, which is meant to enhance the electronic motoring of parolees and to control overcrowding and contraband, the department reported that its unlawful procurement dispute with ISS has delayed its full implementation. The dispute has now led to an arbitration process to find an amicable solution rather than part ways with the current contractor, which would cost beyond the projected R300 million for the implementation of IMMS.
As for the AV system, which is for court proceedings for remand prisoners, the report stated that the department has place 48 AV systems in 26 sites since the AG findings. On the installation of telephones in correctional services, the department reported that this service is beyond its scope, except that it must advertise this service to attract bidders.
During the committee members questioning session, committee member Ms Kabelo Kgobisa Ngcaba asked about the protracted delays in rolling out 100% bandwidth to ensure effective and efficient connection of all correctional services to the department’s network source.
A department representative stated that efforts to improve bandwidth are often hampered by the need to transition from copper to fibre infrastructure for compatibility reasons. However, many correctional centres are located in rural areas where the existing network infrastructure still relies on copper lines, making this transition more challenging.
Regarding the lack of public telephones in correctional centres, committee member Mr Mogodu Moela called on the department to make a concrete commitment on the matter rather than leave it as open-ended as it is. He claimed that during a recent oversight visit to the Eastern Cape, the committee noticed that there were fewer cases of illegal cellphone smuggling in correctional centres that have public phones.
The National Commissioner Mr Makgothi Thobakgale stated that there is nothing much that the department can do about this other than to advertise this service to bidders. Once the advertisement for this bid is out, only then that they can commit to concrete timelines.
On repeat audit findings, Mr Carl Niehaus, the member of the committee, wanted to know what the department has done to address these adverse audit recurrences. The National Commissioner of Correctional Services replied that following the repeat findings, the department has set up an audit team that has since come up with an action plan. Hence, there is now some progress registered in this regard compared to the last three years when the ICT Directorate was always receiving qualified/adverse audit findings.
The Chairperson of the committee, Ms Kgomotso Ramolobeng, wanted to know what consequent management has been meted to those responsible for the unlawful IMMS tender that is now in arbitration, some of whom have now resigned. “This matter can’t be left at that. What does the department intend to do about these officials,” she insisted.
The Minister of the DCS responded that the department would follow up on this matter to ensure that the rule of is upheld.
In her concluding remarks, the Chairperson commended the work done by the department to fix its ICT systems. She also stated that the committee is mindful of the funding shortfalls and the historical administrative matters that led to the current situation. “Hopefully, at the end of the term, all the department’s ICT systems would be in place.”
She further urged the department to ensure that the procurement of the electronic bracelet meant to monitor parolees and aimed at reducing overcrowding in correctional centres is done within the stipulated, relevant and lawful procurement statues to avoid the irregularities that saddle the previous processes.
She also reiterated that the issue of the availability of public telephone for inmate in correctional centres should have strict timelines given its critical role in the overall intelligence apparatus of the department.
“We also hope that when you present our next report on ICT, you will have reached 60% of bandwidth coverage of all correctional centres,” she said. “We have heard of great improvement thus far, but we think the department will in future get a correct analysis of the AG’s findings. I am now convinced that the President was right to separate Correctional Services from the Justice department because it now gets the attention is so deserves,” she said.
Abel Mputing
11 March 2026
Arrange a tour