The Portfolio Committee on Correctional Services has called for a thorough investigation into allegedly manipulated documents relating to a Department of Correctional Services (DCS) coal supply tender.
It also called for consequence management against any officials found responsible.
This call follows a briefing to the committee yesterday indicating that the DCS has regressed from an unqualified audit opinion, with findings over three consecutive financial years, to a disclaimer audit opinion for the 2025/26 financial year.
The Chairperson of the committee, Ms Kgomotso Anthea Ramolobeng, said the disclaimer was among the most serious audit outcomes because it means that the Office of the Auditor-General of South Africa (AGSA) could not obtain sufficient and appropriate evidence to verify the authenticity and reliability of the department’s supporting documentation. The number of audit findings had increased, with significant weaknesses identified in supply chain management.
“The committee is profoundly disappointed. We expected improved governance, not a disclaimer,” said Ms Ramolobeng. “Reliable records are fundamental to public trust. Where documents appear to have been altered, falsified or tampered with, the possibility of fraud or other criminal conduct must be investigated thoroughly.”
The committee yesterday indicated that it wants a detailed account of the procurement records concerned, the officials who prepared and approved them and the action taken against those responsible. It also expects clarity on the status of disciplinary action involving implicated senior officials, including any suspensions and who authorised them.
The Minister of Correctional Services, Dr Pieter Groenewald, told the committee that a number of documents were found to have been manipulated after the bid process had been concluded and several companies were also flagged. He said once the Ministry and the DCS became aware of this, the department acted immediately and reported the matter to the authorities.
Last week, the AGSA indicated to the committee that the documents specifically related to a coal tender for which requested documentation was allegedly altered or changed. Last month, four DCS officials, including the Chief Financial Officer (CFO), were suspended in relation to allegations relating to the coal supply tender.
A Member of the committee, Mr Janho Engelbrecht, requested more specifics on this. He wanted to know when the CFO was suspended and who reported it to the DPCI/Hawks. Mr Engelbrecht also insisted on an independent forensic audit and lifestyle audits for the entire DSC team in SCM. Another Member, Ms Kabelo Kgobisa-Ngcaba, asked whether the CFO is suspended with full pay. If so, she said, it is more a paid vacation than punishment.
The committee further said the department must provide a detailed breakdown of the R13.6 million in irregular expenditure, including the status of investigations, implicated officials and corrective action taken. Quarterly reports must track progress, particularly given the committee’s concern about delays in concluding investigations and implementing consequence management.
The committee also criticised persistent overspending, paying prior-year invoices from current funds and rising food costs as contributing to the pressure. “The department cannot normalise chronic fiscal indiscipline,” the Chairperson said. “Spending more than authorised while delivering less is unacceptable. Expenditure must translate into measurable performance, and those responsible for wrongdoing must face appropriate consequences.”
The committee heard that fruitless and wasteful expenditure increased from R947 000 in the 2024/25 financial year to R12.6 million in 2025/26. This included R6.4 million from default judgments arising from unattended court cases, R6 million in interest on late municipal payments and R200 000 in poorly planned official trips. Some Members indicated this unnecessary expenditure is an indication that the department does not suffer from budgetary constraints but rather fiscal indiscipline.
The Chairperson directed the department to submit a detailed report on default judgments within seven working days. “Including amounts, reasons for non-appearance, officials responsible and corrective action. It must also explain the controls being introduced to prevent recurrence,” she said.
The committee raised concerns that the department achieved only 85% of its planned targets while spending 102% of its budget. The administration and incarceration programmes failed to achieve all their targets, highlighting the need to align expenditure with service delivery.
Noting that the vacancy rate increased from 13.5% in 2024/25 to 16.1% in 2025/26, the committee requested a credible plan to fill funded vacancies timeously, particularly in critical positions and ahead of anticipated retirements.
“While we acknowledged reported reductions in escapes, injuries and unnatural deaths, these improvements cannot detract from the urgent need to address financial and governance failures,” the Chairperson said. “The Ministry and National Commissioner must lead from the front. Public funds must be protected, records must be reliable and misconduct must have consequences. We expect decisive action and measurable progress to restore accountability and public confidence,” Ms Ramolobeng said.
Rajaa Azzakani
14 October 2026
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