Author: stephina khunwane

The Department of Correctional Services (DCS) hosted the Ethiopian Federal Prison Commission delegation who were in South Africa for a benchmarking visit to the DCS correctional facilities from 29 January to 02 February 2024. The purpose of the visit was to gain first-hand experience and to learn best practices from DCS on matters pertaining to Self-Sufficiency and Sustainability Framework (SSSF) programmes, management of young offenders, human resources and capacity building.

Acting Chief Deputy Commissioner (CDC): Human Resources, Kenneth Mthombeni outlined the departmental organisational structure, including staffing, remuneration, benefits, career pathing as well as wellness programmes.

CDC: Incarceration and Corrections, Anna Molepo said DCS believes in the approach that corrections is a societal responsibility that can be achieved through partnership with communities and other key stakeholders. To this end, DCS has partnered with external education and training service providers to ensure effective rehabilitation of offenders and contribute in building safer communities. “During the period of their incarceration, inmates are required to attend training in the field of their interest such as production workshops, confectionaries, farming, cellphone repairs and others. Offenders also have access to education, where they are allowed to further their studies. However, remand detainees are offered only life skills and recreational programmes,” said CDC Molepo.

The visit included amongst others, a site visit to Emthonjeni Juvenile Centre, Baviaanspoort Management Area, where delegates had an opportunity to visit sewing classes that produce variety of garments. The delegation then proceeded to the dairy farm at Zonderwater Management Area where over 120 herd of cattle are kept with each cow producing an average of 21 litres of milk per day. The site visit concluded at the Maximum Facility (C-Max) at Kgoši Mampuru II Management Area, which houses high risk offenders.

In his remarks, National Commissioner, Makgothi Thobakgale mentioned that he envisages a positive feedback from the Ethiopian Federal Prison Commission that will show the fruits of their benchmarking visit. “As a department and country, the capacity we have, we would like to share with other African countries and we would want to benefit from the capacity of other African countries. This bilateral discussions between the two countries is a step forward towards fulfilling our respective mandates,” said Commissioner Thobakgale.

Commissioner General of the Ethiopian Federal Prison Commission, Damene Darota Damota said that they are impressed with the South African correctional facilities and they have taken positive notes on what to improve in the Ethiopian Federal Prison system. “We strongly believe that our benchmarking visits this week in the Department of Correctional Services of the Republic of South Africa is a continuation of a long and solid relationship between our two sister states,” he concluded.

As part of the preparations for this year’s upcoming National and Provincial elections, the Department of Correctional Services (DCS), working in conjunction with the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) embarked on a three-day voter registration for inmates from 30 January to 01 February 2024 at correctional facilities across the country. This is to ensure that inmates (sentenced and non-sentenced) also become part of the South Africans who will be exercising their democratic right to cast their vote in the upcoming elections.

Deputy Minister of Justice and Correctional Services, Nkosi Phathekile Holomisa, accompanied by a high-level delegation which included DCS National Commissioner, Makgothi Thobakgale and IEC Chief Electoral Officer, Sy Mamabolo, visited Johannesburg and Kgoši Mampuru II Management Areas on 31 January 2024, to oversee the inmates’ voter registration. He mentioned that the inmates’ voter registration drive is meant to ensure that all South Africans, above 18 years old, with an Identity Document (ID) are accorded an opportunity to exercise their democratic right to vote during elections. “We are here to oversee the process and to confirm that all inmates are being given an opportunity to register in terms of regulations applicable, as they are entitled to vote despite being incarcerated. We have witnessed that the registration process is conforming to the standards that were set,” explained Deputy Minister Holomisa.

Outlining the inmates’ voter registration process, National Commissioner, Makgothi Thobakgale indicated that an online registration is being administered, with the assistance from IEC. He also mentioned that the Department of Home Affairs is also assisting with the issuing of identity documents for inmates who did not have. “There are over 139 000 inmates who are eligible to vote, although the numbers may fluctuate due to the releases and admissions of inmates over these three days, however, we anticipate that over 20 000 inmates will register to vote,” said Commissioner Thobakgale.

The IEC Chief Electoral Officer, Sy Mamabolo highlighted that there are protocols and regulations to be adhered to when operating inside a security institution such as DCS, and assured that the IEC has been functioning within that discipline. He explained that this is to ensure that the security of the system is not compromised. “We have had a good working relationship with DCS in planning for these registrations and the execution thereof. I can also confirm that political party agents are also here to observe that the registrations are conducted fairly. We are also impressed with the progress made so far,” he said.

Mr Dumisani, an inmate at Johannesburg Management Area Medium B, thanked DCS for the opportunity granted to them to be able to register to vote. “I would like to thank DCS and IEC for considering and encouraging us to register, and for ensuring that we are also given a chance to vote. I have been voting since 1994 and I look forward to this year’s elections,” said Dumisani.

Similarly, Luyanda who is incarcerated at Kgoši Mampuru II Management Area thanked the South African government for affording inmates an opportunity to exercise their constitutional right to vote. He also commended the sterling work being done behind the scene to encourage inmates to register to vote. “Throughout the corridors of the correctional facility, there are posters telling us about how to register to vote. Even on the notice boards, there is information reminding and urging us to register to vote,” said Luyanda. He urged the government to intensify efforts to educate the general populace about the importance of participating in electoral processes.

The Department of Correctional Services (DCS) announced the 2023 annual inmates’ matric results at the Durban Correctional Centre in Westvillle on 23 January 2024. The 2023 class also included a cohort of female inmates from Johannesburg Management Area who sat for their maiden Grade 12 examination, a first in the history of the DCS. The Minister of Justice and Correctional Services, Ronald Lamola applauded the class of 2023 for the stellar achievement which saw them surpass the national pass rate of outside schools. “To our learners, despite the tough and challenging conditions as a result of incarceration, your determination, unmatched commitment and hard work has paid off and you triumphed where some of your peers outside failed. You have done us proud,” said Minister Lamola. The 2023 pass rate is an impressive 93.2%, with KwaZulu-Natal Region emerging as the best performing region. A total of nine DCS schools produced 100% pass rate, while the female school based at the Johannesburg Management Area achieved a 62.5% pass rate, with 60% of the learners obtaining bachelor passes.

Minister Lamola lauded the DCS Strategic Framework for Self-Sufficiency and Sustainability, describing it as an important tool used to transfer skills to inmates to enable them to be self-reliant when they are released. “Inmates have also established sustainable vegetable gardens in communities and schools to fight against hunger and poverty through the Self-Sufficiency and Sustainability programme,” he added.

The 2023 matric class produced a staggering 129 distinctions, 39 of which are in Life Orientation, 26 in Isizulu, 13 in Business Studies, 10 in Geography and four (4) in Mathematics Literacy. Minister Lamola also acknowledged the contribution of the Department of Basic Education across the country and thanked them for creating an enabling environment for inmates to achieve good results.

The Deputy Minister of Justice and Correctional Services, Nkosi Phathekile Holomisa acknowledged the efforts made by inmates in personal development through education while incarcerated.

He said South Africans need to acknowledge that the criminal justice system is designed not only to correct errant behaviour but also to rehabilitate individuals who have made mistakes.

“It is essential that we recognise the potential for change and growth within every person regardless of their past actions. In our pursuit of a crime free South Africa, it is imperative that we recognise the transformative power of education behind bars,” he said.

Deputy Minister Holomisa made a plea to everyone to be proud and support inmates during their transformation journey. “Someone may ask, why even bother to care for people who have caused so much pain and suffering, an answer to this question is simple, education provides a path for individuals to transform lives and broaden their horizons, essentially to be rehabilitated, to be able to play a meaningful role in society as they get integrated,” he said.

Kwazi Ndlanzi, an ex-offender and former learner who passed his matric in 2015 testified and encouraged the 2023 matric cohort to change and persevere in order to make a success of their lives.

“Life will seldom offer you a third chance. Success is not for normal people, human beings are designed to survive, but to be successful is a different story,” said Ndlanzi. He says he reached a turning point in his life in 2006 when he matriculated with 5 distinctions. Ndlanzi testified that he registered with the University of KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) and graduated with a degree in Marketing and Information Technology. He further indicated that he owns a real estate company with 16 employees.

Despite the KZN Region dominating the 2023 results, Matthews Christopher Benn (27) from Brandvlei Correctional Centre in the Western Cape Region walked away with the Best Learner accolade after achieving an 86.14% aggregate with 6 distinctions, followed by parolee Brandvlei, Devon Cameron Jacobs with an 85% aggregate and 7 distinctions while Ntuthuko Mshibe from Usethubeni in KZN came in third with an impressive 84.14% aggregate also with 6 distinctions. Matthews says he has applied at UNISA to study towards a Bachelor of Law (LLB) degree.

According to DCS National Commissioner, Makgothi Thobakgale, the matric results have been on an upward trajectory since 2015. “DCS recorded a constant improvement from 72.9 pass rate in 2015, with the class of 2023 continuing this record-breaking trend by achieving a 93.2% pass rate.

Commissioner Thobakgale further acknowledged and thanked all stakeholders who made efforts in making these achievements possible.