Latest news with #DepartmentofCorrectionalServices
The South African
10-07-2025
- The South African
Mansions to C-Max: Thabo Bester and Vusi Matlala are now neighbours
A surprise raid by the Department of Correctional Services has confirmed that notorious criminal Thabo Bester is in the company of fellow inmates with high-profile figures like Vusi 'Cat' Matlala and Radovan Krejčíř at the Kgosi Mampuru prison. The trio is being kept under maximum security and 24-hour surveillance. The C-Max correctional facility is known for housing offenders like serial rapist Ananias Mathe, serial murderer Rosemary Ndlovu and Chris Hani's murderer Janusz Walus. On Tuesday, 8 July, Correctional Services National Commissioner, Makgothi Thobakgale, conducted a surprise raid at the Kgosi Mampuru prison. A clip posted on social media confirmed several high-profile profiles like Thabo Bester, Vusi 'Cat' Matlala, and Radovan Krejčíř were incarcerated on the same floor. The trio is being kept in isolation behind steel doors under 24-hour surveillance. Like Thabo Bester, Vusi Matlala now calls Kgosi Mampuru home. Both men are awaiting trial on high-profile charges. Images via YouTube screenshot: SABC News. Kgosi Mampuru is one of two super-maximum security prisons in South Africa, the other being Ebongweni in Kokstad. Like Thabo Bester, Vusi Matlala has been accused of being a hotshot businessman who lived a flashy lifestyle and ran a string of businesses aided by high-ranking connections and fraudulent tenders. Bester is still serving time for his life sentences relating to rape and murder. He is also awaiting trial over charges of his 2022 prison escape, as well as fraud, corruption, and violating multiple bodies. Meanwhile, Matlala is currently facing charges of money laundering. He is also charged with attempted murder and conspiracy to commit murder based on a 2023 attempted hit on his ex-girlfriend, socialite Tebojo Thobejane. Vusi Matlala was recently transferred to Kgosi Mampuru's C-Max after he was discovered in possession of a cellphone over the weekend. In 2023, Thabo Bester was also transferred to the maximum security facility after his prison escape from Magaung Correctional Centre in Bloemfontein a year earlier. During his incarceration, Bester unlawfully made use of the cellphones and laptops at his disposal in his cell. In a follow-up raid this week, Matlala shared his concerns with the National Commissioner about his designer belongings. Thobakgale said of Matlala's complaints: 'He knows how he needs to channel the request. The same with Thabo Bester, he made a request. And the last time I was here, he submitted something to me in writing.' Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 . Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp , Facebook , X, and Bluesky for the latest news.
IOL News
10-07-2025
- IOL News
Beware of impersonation scam targeting public over correctional services learnerships
The Department of Correctional Services (DCS) has issued an urgent warning to the public regarding a scam perpetrated by an individual falsely claiming to be Mr S Nxumalo, the official spokesperson for the department. Reports indicate that this impostor is using the TrueCaller application to contact unsuspecting citizens, soliciting payments for so-called learnership opportunities and the collection of uniforms. In a statement released by the DCS, it was made clear that Mr Singabakho Nxumalo does not engage in any recruitment processes nor does he solicit, facilitate, or receive any payments relating to learnerships or employment. The department is adamant that any calls from someone merely identifying as 'S Nxumalo' should raise immediate suspicion and should not be entertained by the recipient.
Eyewitness News
10-07-2025
- Eyewitness News
Likhona Fose murder: Mduduzi Mnisi remains behind bars until DCS finalises parole status
JOHANNESBURG - Thirty-nine-year-old Mduduzi Mnisi, linked to the murder of 14-year-old Likhona Fose, will remain behind bars until the Department of Correctional Services finalises the status of his parole. Mnisi was granted R5,000 bail at the Roodepoort Magistrates Court on Wednesday after the conclusion of a lengthy hearing. ALSO READ: Likhona Fose murder case: Accused Mduduzi Mnisi handed strict bail conditions During proceedings, the court heard that Mnisi had violated his parole conditions when he went to visit friends in a different district outside of the hours stated for his parole conditions. Due to his parole violation for a sentence of 18 years he was serving for attempted murder and robbery with aggravating circumstances, Magistrate Delize Smith said, 'Copy of the court's order must be sent to correctional supervision or parole officers, immediately and the bail can only be effective after the parole board has decided on the parole of the applicant.'
The Citizen
08-07-2025
- General
- The Citizen
Build-A-Life Foundation hosts transformational boys' camp
From July 1 to 3, the Build-A-Life Foundation successfully hosted a powerful youth development initiative titled 'Brotherhood Junxion' — a boys' camp aimed at equipping young men with the tools and values needed to grow into responsible, confident leaders. The camp took place at the Gauteng Archives Centre in Kagiso Township, bringing together boys from primary and high schools across the West Rand, including Merafong. The three-day event focused on filling the social and emotional gaps faced by many young men in local communities. Through a mix of mentorship, personal development workshops, emotional wellness activities, and team-building exercises, the camp created a safe and empowering space for boys to grow. 'The camp was not just a gathering,' said Lerato Monyela, founder and coordinator of Build-A-Life Foundation, 'it was a powerful experience of learning, growth, and transformation for the young men who attended.' The program featured engaging sessions such as: Boys' Talk circles Motivational presentations Team-building activities A fun day and awards ceremony The highlight: the Brotherhood Junxion Soccer Tournament Representatives from the Merafong Municipality, including Youth Co-ordinator Modiegi Shata, were in attendance, along with officials from the Department of Correctional Services, who gave impactful talks on discipline, decision-making, and real-life consequences in prison environments. Monyela shared how she witnessed remarkable changes in the boys, noting how those who initially appeared shy or reserved gradually opened up, embraced the activities, and started forming supportive bonds with peers. 'Many left with a renewed mindset, new friendships, and a clearer understanding of the values they want to live by,' she said. The camp not only inspired the boys, but also strengthened partnerships with local stakeholders, reaffirming the importance of creating spaces where young men can learn about healthy masculinity, emotional intelligence, and accountability. Lerato Monyela concluded by thanking all facilitators, volunteers, and the boys themselves: 'This is only the beginning. The seed of change has been planted — and we will continue to water it.' At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
IOL News
08-07-2025
- Politics
- IOL News
Portfolio Committee calls for foreign nationals to serve prison sentences in their home countries
Prisoners at Goodwood Correctional Centre during an an oversight visit. Image: Brendan Magaar/Independent Newspapers (Archives) Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Correctional Services, Kgomotso Anthea Ramolobeng, said that the committee remains concerned about the number of foreign nationals in the country's prisons, and ideally wants them to serve out their sentences in their own countries. Ramolobeng was addressing the media and stakeholders at the Peace and Security Cluster Committee Chairpersons' briefing on Monday, July 7, 2025. Ramolobeng began her address by saying that the committee is pleased with the Department of Correctional Services reviewing the Correctional Services Act, 111 of 1998, as it will allow them to provide input on areas that they believe should be amended or strengthened, including Section 73 of the Act, which deals with the management of foreign national inmates in the country's facilities. 'We heard during the budget debate that the minister indicated there were 24,000 foreign national inmates in correctional centres across the country, which costs the state R11 million per day. 'The committee is seriously concerned that our correctional facilities have so many foreign nationals, but our country has not entered into an inmate exchange programme with any country. 'We intend to review this provision specifically as it relates to the incarceration of foreign nationals. We want to provide for foreign nationals serving life sentences to serve their sentences in their countries of origin due to the costs associated with housing foreign inmates in correctional facilities,' Ramolobeng said. 'We encourage the minister to consult further with the Minister of Home Affairs regarding the intention to review this provision.' Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Correctional Services, Kgomotso Anthea Ramolobeng. Image: GCIS Ramolobeng also addressed the remanding of detainees with bail of less than R1,000, where she said that the Department of Correctional Services (DCS) reports a total of 166,008 inmates in correctional centres nationwide, comprising 104,117 sentenced inmates and 61,891 remanded detainees. 'Remand detainees are the biggest contributor to overcrowding in correctional centres. We are concerned about the staggering cost of keeping and maintaining remand detainees in correctional facilities, which costs the department R482 per day and over R13,000 monthly for each detainee. 'Taking into consideration the pressing issue of overcrowding in our correctional facilities, many remand detainees are in the centres for months and years simply because they cannot afford to pay bail, which at times is as low as R300,' Ramolobeng said. 'We cannot have a system that further perpetuates the injustices that our constitutional democracy so desperately tries to correct. It is in this context that we congratulate the Judicial Inspectorate for Correctional Services for their efforts to undertake a feasibility study on a pilot bail fund project for remand detainees with a bail amount of R1,000. 'Although this is a band-aid to the pressing challenge of overcrowding, we trust it will, in the meantime, assist with the immediate decongestion of our facilities as we work toward a more sustainable solution while also addressing the unintended consequence of discriminating against offenders based on their socio-economic status,' Ramolobeng said. She explained that there are two legislative provisions intended to assist with managing overcrowding in correctional facilities, but in reality, they are producing very minimal results. The committee is also calling on the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development, as well as other key stakeholders, to take seriously its relationship with the DCS, 'because most of its challenges do not emanate from DCS not delivering on its mandate'. The committee has raised concerns about the state of correctional facilities they've witnessed during oversight visits to some of these facilities, particularly regarding the maintenance of infrastructure by the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure (DPWI) and the condition of the kitchens. 'The DCS has informed the committee that DPWI has devolved maintenance of infrastructure to the DCS. However, this is done without proportional budget allocation to DCS. DCS has informed the committee that a total of R842,125,349 was processed and paid to DWPI under the auspices of User Charges Allocation in the 2024/25 financial year,' Ramolobeng said. She stated that the committee has since resolved to request that the Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure appear before the committee on 15 July 2025 to discuss this matter and other infrastructure challenges faced by DCS. [email protected]
