Latest news with #Ramolobeng
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]
IOL News
02-07-2025
- Business
- IOL News
Parliament grills Correctional Services over R22. 95 bread price tag
The Department of Correctional Services bakery at Standerton Correctional Centre. Image: Department of Correctional Services Questions have been raised about the price of loaves of bread being procured by the Department of Correctional Services (DCS). The Portfolio Committee on Correctional Services noted the steep increase from R13.36 in 2024/25 to R22.95 per loaf in 2025/26. This follows a briefing to the committee by DCS on its use of consultants and an update on the establishment of bakeries in correctional centres, including the cost breakdown on bread supplied by external suppliers versus internal sources. Chairperson Kgomotso Anthea Ramolobeng said the dissatisfaction by members was visible after DCS indicated it is now paying more per loaf for a bulk supply than normal South Africans pay in a retail store. 'It cannot be that we are paying so much. We note and welcome the input by the Minister that the procedure of appointment of contractors is being re-worked, as the price is excessive,' Ramolobeng said. The Department of Correctional Services expands its national bakery programme. Image: Timothy Bernard / Independent Newspapers The committee also commended the DCS's efforts to achieve self-sufficiency in baking its own bread. This has led to saving over R27.4 million for the 2024/25 financial year. Ramolobeng said that while they are pleased with this effort, more needs to be done to ensure that all correctional facilities have their own bakeries. DCS currently has 11 bakeries nationwide that are managed by correctional officials. These bakeries not only provide self-sufficiency and sustainability but also job opportunities for offenders, develop their skills, and save on costs. The first bakery was opened at the Kgosi Mampuru II facility in 1992. Since then, additional bakeries have been established across six regions. The Standerton and Pietermaritzburg bakeries were opened during the 2024/25 financial year, and the Durban bakery was commissioned on June 23, 2025, for test baking. When it becomes operational, 12 correctional centres will have bakeries. Some of the bakeries that are in the planning and consultation phases, and the estimated target date of completion: - Nigel (August 30, 2026) - Krugersdorp (March 30, 2027) - Helder Stroom (December 1, 2026) - Brandvlei (October 15, 2026) - Groenpunt (August 30, 2026) - Upington (September 15, 2026) - Overberg (September 15, 2026) - Baviaanspoort (December 1, 2025) The committee heard that in the 2024/25 financial year, 5.27 million loaves of bread were required/ordered from departmental bakeries and just over five million were baked – a shortfall of 270,870.
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
IOL News
28-05-2025
- IOL News
R12 million needed to refurbish Westville prison kitchen amid infrastructure concerns
Some of the prison facilities in KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng are in a poor state. Image: Independent Newspapers Archives The closure of the kitchen at Westville Correctional Service Medium A in February due to non-compliance has put the spotlight on the crumbling state of prison infrastructure in KwaZulu-Natal. During a presentation to the Portfolio Committee on Correctional Services this week, the Department of Correctional Services (DCS) revealed that it needs R12 million to refurbish the Westville kitchen, which includes replacing equipment, repairing the floor surface, tiling, and painting. In the meantime, meals for inmates are being prepared by other kitchens within the Westville Management Area. Members of Parliament in the committee expressed concern over the poor condition of kitchens and facilities across several centres in KZN and Gauteng, many of which are in disrepair. MPs questioned why the facilities were in such a poor state despite hundreds of millions of rand being paid to the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure (DPWI) for maintenance. Committee chairperson Kgomotoso Anthea Ramolobeng said, 'We cannot keep on paying DPWI when servicing ought to be done but nothing happens whilst we are sitting with correctional facilities that are highly dilapidated, on the verge of collapse.' The committee was told that more than R842 million was paid to the DPWI during the 2024/25 financial year under the user charges allocation. However, the DPWI has relinquished most of its maintenance duties to the DCS, prompting members to question whether the DCS has formally requested a refund. Ramolobeng asked, 'What is the process of requesting a refund?' and said members wanted to know when a request was made and how the DPWI responded, if at all. The Modderbee Correctional Centre kitchen project in Gauteng also came under scrutiny. A full upgrade tender advertised by the DPWI lapsed with no award made. The DCS went ahead with limited renovations using its own staff and inmates in October 2023 at a cost of R94 464. The kitchen reopened in March this year but still needs R7 million for equipment.
