Inconsistencies in reporting, slow progress and lack of funding dominated the agenda of yesterday’s Portfolio Committee on Correctional Services meeting. The meeting’s aim was to check up on the Department of Correctional Services’ progress in renovating and refurbishing kitchens at the correctional centres inspected by the committee during recent oversight visits in KwaZulu-Natal, Limpopo and Gauteng.
The committee warned that deteriorating kitchen facilities continue to pose risks to the health, safety and dignity of inmates.
Committee Chairperson Ms Kgomotso Anthea Ramolobeng said the committee was dissatisfied with the department’s pace of progress and inconsistencies in reporting. “We are very concerned about the progress and, at times, the complete lack thereof. The department previously informed the committee that the Modderbee kitchen had reopened in March 2025 but today indicated that it remains closed due to ongoing renovations. During the meeting, the department corrected the completion date and said the renovations are now expected to be finalised by the end of May next year,” she said.
Committee Member Mr Carl Niehaus echoed these concerns, saying he believes the department is not taking the committee seriously. “When I look at the quality of the presentations we received, it’s amended afterwards.” He noted that the in-person briefing received differed from the one emailed to the committee last week in preparation for the meeting. “That is unacceptable,” he said.
Ms Ramolobeng also noted that repeated references to budget constraints could not become a blanket justification for delays. “While we acknowledge the financial pressures facing the department, it must also utilise all available measures to curb wastefulness and improve efficiency,” she said.
The committee heard that approximately R892 million was paid to the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure (DPWI) under the User Charges Allocation during the 2025/26 financial year. The DCS reiterated that DPWI has relinquished most maintenance responsibilities to the department, despite user charges continuing to be paid in line with National Treasury allocations.
The committee noted that the transfer of maintenance responsibilities without proportional budget allocations has placed severe strain on the department and negatively affected the repair and maintenance of critical infrastructure, including kitchens, boilers, sewerage systems and water purification plants.
Committee member Mr Janho Engelbrecht said: “You accepted responsibility for infrastructure maintenance from DPWI without having a budget to do so. So, you paid over R892 million in 2025/26 financial year. The question that begs an answer is: where did that money go to? It’s a lot of money, as, for instance in Kokstad, you have two ovens and other stuff not working. It has been broken for over a year. It would have cost less that R200 000, a drop in the ocean compared to what was paid to DPWI.”
Committee members also had concerns about several kitchens that remain in poor condition due to ageing infrastructure, maintenance delays and insufficient funding. Challenges highlighted included non-functional cooking equipment, structural damage, leaking roofs, lack of valid hygiene compliance certificates, malfunctioning boilers and delays in appointing contractors.
Committee member Mr Erald Cloete highlighted the Baviaanspoort kitchen, where construction began in 2021. “We are now in 2026, five years later, and a contractor is only being advertised in June. What was happening between 2021 and today. What caused the delay and what consequence management has been applied?”
Another committee member, Ms Dereleen James, probed this matter further, saying that the presentation speaks of “lack of funds, or does the department mean no funding? I would appreciate it to see just how much that lack or that shortfall is, where there is a need for maintenance at every kitchen.”
Meanwhile, Ms Ramolobeng emphasised: “The state of some of these kitchens is unacceptable and undermines the constitutional obligation to ensure humane detention conditions. Food preparation facilities must always comply with health and hygiene standards.”
Committee member Mr Mzwanele Sokopo said that, in most facilities the committee visited, the health compliance certificates for the kitchens have expired. “We are told in different regions that they don’t change the certificate if there is nothing wrong, but it remains a concern that you have expired certificates. Agreeing with this sentiment, committee member Mr Musawenkosi Gasa said offenders are being fed from kitchens that are not certified to operate.
While acknowledging progress at some facilities, including Qalakabusha Correctional Centre and Thohoyandou Medium B Correctional Centre, the committee stressed that urgent work is still required across the correctional system. The committee welcomed the department’s commitment to allocate funding in the 2026/27 financial year for outstanding repairs and refurbishment projects but stressed that it expects measurable progress and strict adherence to timelines.
“We will continue monitoring these refurbishments and conducting unannounced oversight visits to inspect progress and workmanship,” said the Chairperson.
Rajaa Azzakani
20 May 2026
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