Extremely high numbers of officials suspended in the 2025/2026 financial year, faulty equipment and the working shift system dominated the agenda yesterday during a meeting of the Portfolio Committee on Correctional Services at the Drakenstein Correctional Centre.
Committee Chairperson Ms Kgomotso Anthea Ramolobeng said the committee decided to hold its normal meeting at the centre to include a walk-about of the facility.
The working shift system within the Drakenstein Management Area was of particular concern to the committee. This includes the Maximum Section, Maximum A Section, Maximum B Section and Stellenbosch Correctional Centre. The committee heard that during the 2025/26 financial year, 65 disciplinary cases were registered. Ms Ramolobeng noted that, nationally, the Department of Correctional Services (DCS) recorded 130 such cases during that time, making Drakenstein the largest contributor.
“This is a significant number of disciplinary cases. The figure is extremely high and may point to management failures or a lack of effective systems. We previously urged the National Commissioner to focus on the Drakenstein Management Area, and this confirms why,” said Ms Ramolobeng.
She added that the committee had resolved at the start of its term to prioritise physical oversight visits to correctional facilities. To date, the committee has visited Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, Eastern Cape, Western Cape and Limpopo, and last week conducted oversight visits in Mpumalanga.
During yesterday’s visit, the committee conducted a walkabout of the kitchen, bakery, school, medical unit, several workshops, and inmate cells. The bakery unit was commended for producing approximately 1,500 loaves of bread per day, supplying several other centres.
“This is commendable and contributes to self-sustainability. It is also an effective cost-cutting measure for the department. However, we observed that two of the three mixers are not functioning and one oven is also broken. In the kitchen, four of the 10 pots are not working, and some workshop machinery is also out of order. This is concerning, as it places additional strain on the remaining equipment and increases the risk of further breakdowns. These issues require urgent attention,” emphasised the Chairperson.
Following the debriefing session, the committee also raised concerns about the amount of contraband found in the management area during 2025/26. This included 634 cellphones and 595 mandrax tablets.
Committee Member Ms Kabelo Kgobisa-Ngcaba had concerns about proper perimeter fencing at the agricultural side of the facility, which she said would make it easy for contraband to be thrown into the fields. Another committee member, Mr Janho Engelbrecht, also focused on this area, noting that the regional and area management must address the matter urgently.
The committee also raised concerns about the practice of serving lunch and dinner together to inmates, noting that this is not in line with the department’s standard operating procedures. Overcrowding was another key issue highlighted. The Chairperson noted that overcrowding generally contributes to security incidents. The Drakenstein Management Area’s facilities can accommodate 1 361 bed spaces but currently houses 1 851 inmates, including 227 mental healthcare users.
The committee also received a preliminary report on the unnatural death of an inmate in March. It was informed that the investigation has not yet been concluded, with early indications suggesting gang-related causes. The committee agreed to a request made by the department that no details of the investigation be made public. The committee will engage with the final report once the investigation has been completed.
Committee member Mr Carl Niehaus said the DCS appeared to operate in a chronic state of crisis, with persistent security lapses. He noted that without urgent accountability, violence and failures will remain high.
Another committee member, Mr Mzwanele Sokopo, indicated that there were discrepancies in the preliminary report the committee received yesterday during its debriefing session. “I understand that it’s a preliminary report and that the final report will give us a better understanding. At this stage I get the impression they are not brutally honest, but we will await the final report.”
Ms Ramolobeng said the committee was unable to cover all areas of the facility during the visit and will return for a more comprehensive inspection, as well as to follow up on its recommendations to the department.
Rajaa Azzakani
6 May 2026
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