Latest news with #PortfolioCommitteeonCorrectionalServices
IOL News
11-06-2025
- Business
- IOL News
Department of Correctional Services faces R1. 4 billion over-expenditure
During a briefing on the DCS's second and third quarter performance report for the 2024/25 financial year, committee members were informed that the year-to-date expenditure for the department stood at a considerable R21.6 billion, constituting 78% of the projected annual spending of R29.2 billion. Image: Boxer Ngwenya / Independent Newspapers The Portfolio Committee on Correctional Services has expressed deepening concerns regarding the alarming budgetary excesses plaguing the Department of Correctional Services (DCS), as projections indicate an over-expenditure of R1.4 billion. This situation has arisen amid increasing operational costs, which could severely hinder the department's ability to fulfil its mandate effectively. During a briefing on the DCS's second and third quarter performance report for the 2024/25 financial year, committee members were informed that the year-to-date expenditure for the department stood at a considerable R21.6 billion, constituting 78% of the projected annual spending of R29.2 billion. This figure starkly overshadows the adjusted budget of R27.8 billion, thus highlighting the pressing need for fiscal accountability within the correctional system. The committee identified several contributing factors to this over-expenditure. Chief among them is a cost-of-living adjustment implemented in April 2024, which has compounded existing financial challenges. Additionally, the department's capital budget faces a worrying shortfall of R222 million, severely limiting essential infrastructure upgrades and maintenance needed to improve conditions within correctional facilities. Rising food costs have further exacerbated the situation. This increase is attributed not only to inflation and a rising inmate population but also the increasing number of foreign nationals housed in South Africa's correctional facilities. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ The DCS is also grappling with soaring municipal tariffs for utilities such as electricity and water, which have skyrocketed beyond standard consumer price indices, ultimately straining the already overstretched Goods and Services budget. Moreover, the challenge has been heightened by the transfer of maintenance responsibilities from the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure to the DCS without a corresponding increase in funding, resulting in an alarming R154 million funding gap. Meanwhile, the department's efforts toward digital transformation and cybersecurity are stymied by a severely constrained budget for information technology. Kgomotso Anthea Ramolobeng, Chairperson of the committee, voiced her apprehensions about the department's financial trajectory. 'Of course, we raised concerns about this trend. It is worrying although the factors for such overspending have been placed before us. We urged the department to tighten its belt, like using for example offender labour wherever possible in order to cut cost and that will result in a transfer of skills,' she stated. In light of these challenges, the DCS has initiated measures aimed at curtailing projected over-expenditure. A dedicated committee has been established to monitor spending on a weekly basis, and the committee expressed hope that these interventions would yield tangible results. 'We noted these interventions and hope that the corrective measures will bear fruit. We will need a report detailing progress regarding those measures,' Ramolobeng said. The DCS also reported a troubling statistic: 29 unnatural deaths have been recorded among its inmate population, which stands at 160,353. Ramolobeng underscored the importance of accurate reporting, urging the DCS and the Judicial Inspectorate for Correctional Services to establish a framework to resolve discrepancies in the reporting of these numbers. 'Both parties need to sit down and come up with a way forward of how to address this reporting deficit. We want the DCS to submit a report to us following that sit-down meeting,' she concluded. IOL
IOL News
11-06-2025
- IOL News
South Africa's prison population reaches 166 924: The impact of budget constraints
The total population of inmates increased to 166,924 as of December 31, 2024, throughout South Africa. Image: Bheki Radebe Within three months, 6 571 more inmates occupied prisons throughout South Africa, bringing the total population of inmates to 166 924 as of December 31, 2024. The Department of Correctional Services (DCS) presented the 3rd Quarter Performance Report for the 2024/25 financial year to the Portfolio Committee on Correctional Services on Tuesday, noting that the prison population increased from 160 353 on September 30, 2024. In the DCS report, reference was made to the capital budget being underfunded by R222 million, constraining infrastructure upgrades and maintenance. The DCS stated that food costs have surged, driven not only by inflation and a growing inmate population, but also by the rising number of foreign nationals housed in correctional facilities, which are experiencing the highest concentration of this challenge. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad Loading Approximately 27% of offenders in Gauteng are foreign nationals. Polokwane and Thohoyandou in Limpopo, Barberton in Mpumalanga, and Klerksdorp, North West, correctional centres admitted more remand detainees, mostly foreign nationals, due to SAPS operations Vala Umgodi and Shanela, where they were charged for illegal mining and illegal immigration. The DCS stated that due to municipal tariffs for electricity, water, and sanitation escalating above the Consumer Price Index, it is creating further strain on the already stretched goods and services budget. The department stated that the branch budget is also severely constrained, hampering efforts to modernise digital infrastructure and cybersecurity. The DCS did not meet its target in Information Technology (IT) because of a number of sites where a mesh network and an integrated security system (ISS) are installed. The reason provided was attributed to a delay in the testing of the Audio Visual Remand (AVR) due to the unavailability of the confirmed court dates by the Department of Justice. The DCS also stated that funds allocated for the Local Area Network (LAN) infrastructure project were insufficient due to a budget shortfall for the Microsoft licenses. It highlighted that overcrowding in correctional facilities is in excess of approved bed space capacity. 'The admission of remand detainees and sentenced offenders exceeds the outflow of cases from the system,' the DCS stated. The unsentenced inmate population increased by 5 934, while the sentenced offender population increased by 637. With regard to overcrowding in Gauteng, the DCS stated that the Leeuwkop Medium B is unable to utilise four cells with a capacity of 160 because of two burnt cells and two that are adjacent to the burnt cells. At the same facility, the DCS cannot use the Delta units with a bed space of 340 due to a lack of resources; further details are not provided. The DCS was allocated a budget of R27.8 billion, with 60% going towards incarceration, amounting to R16.7bn. Cape Argus
IOL News
05-06-2025
- Politics
- IOL News
Bail Fund pilot project for prisoners to be launched in WC
The Portfolio Committee on Correctional Services conducted visits to correctional facilities in South Africa after concerns were raised about overcrowding. The committee was also concerned that 2,613 detainees have been granted bail of less than R1,000 but cannot afford this amount. Image: File OVER 2600 detainees have been granted bail of less than R1000 but cannot afford this amount. They are regarded as prisoners of poverty. These were some of the findings when the Portfolio Committee on Correctional Services conducted visits to correctional facilities in South Africa, following concerns about overcrowding. They found that some families do not want to pay bail for some juvenile offenders because of the mischief they would cause in the community, and they believe that they would be better off in detention centres awaiting trial. The committee was also reacting to the Judicial Inspectorate for Correctional Services (JICS) progress report on the proposed Bail Fund for prisoners of poverty. On Tuesday, the JICS explained to the committee that the fund is a resource outside state institutions to advance bail monies for deserving remand detainees. Committee Chairperson Kgomotso Ramolobeng said that work still needs to be done, including an extensive public participation process to establish whether communities would be in favour of such a fund, which would allow offenders awaiting trial to be reintegrated into communities. The committee heard that a pilot project will soon be launched, likely in the Western Cape, to test the functioning of the fund. Remandees accused of certain crimes (gender-based violence, for example) will likely be excluded. The JICS held engagements with the Bertha Foundation, the Department of Correctional Services, the National Prosecuting Authority, and civil society to plan a way forward. The meeting resulted in support for the launch of a pilot project, an institutional base for the pilot project – Africa Criminal Justice Reform at the University of the Western Cape, and an unsolicited offer of philanthropic funding covering nearly half of the cost of the pilot. Ramolobeng said several committee members believed that communities feared accepting awaiting trial offenders back into communities due to the fear of re-offending. 'During recent oversight visits to correctional centres, we noted lots of awaiting trial detainees, including juveniles. They indicated families do not want to pay even these low amounts, believing that the youths cause mischief in their communities. Our impression was that if they were inside a detention centre, they were out of the family's hair,' she said. Ramolobeng said the committee will engage JICS and other stakeholders once it has sight of a more comprehensive plan. The committee found that correctional facilities are also releasing less offenders than what they are admitting due to the longer prison sentences imposed by the courts.
IOL News
04-06-2025
- Business
- IOL News
Concerns raised over proposed fund to help poor awaiting-trial prisoners
Portfolio Committee raises concerns over community readiness for proposed bail fund Image: File The Portfolio Committee on Correctional Services has raised concerns about the potential implementation of a Bail Fund for South Africa. Introduced by the Judicial Inspectorate for Correctional Services (JICS), the Bail Fund is designed to assist those awaiting trial who have been granted bail, yet face financial barriers preventing their release. Currently, 2,613 detainees or "prisoners of poverty" who have been approved for bail set at less than R1,000 but are unable to pay. Committee chairperson Kgomotso Anthea Ramolobeng, said broader public engagement was necessary before any further steps are taken. During the session on Tuesday, JICS revealed plans for a pilot project, likely to be launched in the Western Cape, aimed at assessing the operational viability of such a fund. However, it was indicated that individuals charged with certain serious crimes, such as gender-based violence, would be excluded from benefiting from the fund. The initiative intends to support only those defendants identified by the courts as non-threatening, who have a reliable home address, and pose no risk to public safety or state witnesses while out on bail. Ramolobeng acknowledged that while there is consensus on the need for the fund, committee members are wary of community sentiments towards reintegrating awaiting trial offenders, expressing that many community members harbour fears of re-offending. "During our recent oversight visits to correctional facilities, we observed numerous detainees, including juveniles, who had low bail amounts set. Upon inquiry, families often refused to pay even these small sums, believing that the youths stirred trouble in their communities," she explained. An essential aspect of the discussion was the plan for monitoring those released on bail. Concerns were raised about how re-offending would be tracked, as well as the implications should bail money be forfeited if families are unable to pay or if offenders violate their bail conditions. Ramolobeng noted that "the committee is keen to understand how JICS will ensure compliance and prevent further offences while released on bail." The committee encouraged JICS to continue collaborating with key partners, including the South African Police Service and the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA). Ramolobengsaid the committee will monitor this space and engage JICS and other stakeholders once it has sight of a more comprehensive plan. IOL
The Citizen
14-05-2025
- The Citizen
Why Chris Hani's killer went free but Alison Botha's rapists went back to jail
Minister Pieter Groenewald explained the legalities of Janusz Walus' release and the reason for revoking the bail of two rapists. The Department of Correctional Services has explained the difference between two high-profile parole cases. Janusz Walus, the executor of Chris Hani, was deported back to his homeland late last year after his parole term had expired. Months later, two men convicted of leaving their rape victim for dead outside Port Elizabeth were rearrested while serving parole. Janusz Walus back to Poland Addressing the Portfolio Committee on Correctional Services, Minister Pieter Groenewald explained how the cases reached seemingly contradictory outcomes. After the Pole was unrepentant in a post-homecoming interview, defenders of Hani's legacy soon called for Walusz to be returned to South Africa to face further justice. The minister explained that Walus' case was handled under the Van Vuren Constitutional Court judgment, which covered death sentences handed down before March 1994. Paul Van Vuren was in November 1992 sentenced to death after being convicted of murder, robbery, theft and the possession of an unlicensed firearm. In September 2000, his death sentence was commuted to a life sentence and in 2007, he approached the Constitutional Court, which ruled on his application to approach the High Court to argue his case for parole. 'Mr Van Vuren's case appears to be premised on the prejudice he may suffer if the statutory provision in question is retrospective in effect,' the 2007 judgment read. 'His case may implicate any changes in parole policy from 1994 and the proper interpretation of related provisions,' it continued. The case of Alison Botha The Van Vuren judgment allowed those with commuted death sentences to be eligible for a three-year parole period after serving their full life sentence, with Groenewald clarifying that 360 inmates had since benefited from this ruling. The second matter relates to Frans du Toit and Theuns Kruger, who in 1997, were convicted of raping Allison Botha and dumping her body outside Port Elizabeth with multiple stab wounds and a slit throat. The rapists were released on parole in 2024 after the standard application, recommendation and risk analysis process had been conducted. However, after their releases, Botha's lawyers threatened the department with litigation, claiming that no victim consultation on their parole was conducted. Legal advice and the brutality of Du Toit's and Kruger's crime, as described during their prosecution, forced Groenewald to rescind their parole. 'The Minister's primary consideration is the imperative of protecting and securing the community, particularly in instances where acts of violence against women and children have been committed,' the department stated upon their reimprisonment. NOW READ: Hani's hitman: 'Nationalists' give Janusz Waluś a hero's welcome in Poland
