Parliament, Friday, 1 May 2026 – The Portfolio Committee on Correctional Services concluded its week-long oversight visit to correctional facilities in Mpumalanga Province by a visit to the Witbank Correctional Centre where the committee expressed general satisfaction with the operations at the facility.
Committee Chairperson, Ms Kgomotso Anthea Ramolobeng, commended the centre’s management, particularly for the effective operation of its manufacturing workshops. The committee conducted an in loco inspection of the workshops, which produce uniforms for officials and shoes for offenders.
Ms Ramalobeng said: “We commend the centre for the excellent work. These initiatives contribute to cost savings for the department while equipping inmates with valuable skills that will assist with their reintegration into society.”
During its walkabout at the facility, the committee also visited the male section, juvenile section and the kitchen. Ms Ramaboleng said the committee had a productive oversight visit. She said although the facility has been in existence since 1956, the infrastructure remains in good condition and is well maintained and clean.
The committee has been conducting visits across the province since Tuesday. Over the past week, it also inspected the Nelspruit Correctional Centre, Barberton Maximum Correctional Centre, Barberton Town Youth Centre, Bethal Correctional Centre and Standerton Correctional Centre.
The committee held a debriefing session with the Department of Correctional Services (DCS) where it reflected on the issues identified during the visits and to receive feedback on how these will be addressed.
Ms Ramolobeng said the oversight visit was both fruitful and insightful. “We were exposed to areas that need urgent attention, as well as pockets of excellence. In general, we observed challenges relating to human resource shortages, contraband, non-functioning equipment and dilapidated infrastructure in some centres,” the Chairperson said.
She said the situation at the Bethal Correctional Centre calls for urgent intervention. “The Bethal facility needs focused attention from management. The challenges identified demand major repairs and filling vacancies, although these remain critical.”
She further raised concerns about infrastructure and equipment at the facility. “Equipment such as freezers and cooking pots must be repaired or replaced to prevent additional strain on the limited resources currently available. The department has made commitments, including timelines for addressing some of these issues, and we will continue to monitor progress.”
The committee also expressed concern over the high number of inmates declared as state patients who have not yet been accommodated in the Department of Health facilities. In addition, some centres reported high numbers of foreign nationals, and the committee has called on the department to work with relevant stakeholders to facilitate deportation processes where applicable.
Ms Ramolobeng said the committee is satisfied that the oversight visit provided a clear, on-the-ground understanding of conditions within correctional centres. “While we were unable to visit all facilities due to the vastness of the province, we intend to return to cover the outstanding centres and to assess progress on the commitments made,” she concluded.
ISSUED BY THE PARLIAMENTARY COMMUNICATION SERVICES ON BEHALF OF THE CHAIRPERSON OF THE PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE ON CORRECTIONAL SERVICES, MS KGOMOTSO ANTHEA RAMOLOBENG.
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