Following the violent riots and subsequent fire that engulfed Kutama Sinthumule Correctional Facility in August of 2023, the National Commissioner of Department of Correctional Services (DCS), Makgothi Thobakgale, accompanied by the Regional Commissioner of Limpopo, Mpumalanga and North West Region, Tlabo Thokolo, visited the facility on Sunday, 28 July 2024, to conduct a site inspection as part of ongoing assessment of the renovation work, and the Facility’ state of readiness to accommodate offenders again.
The visit to the Green Block section of the Facility follows numerous other oversight visits that the National Commissioner has undertaken in an effort to ensure that the renovation of sections that were gutted by the runaway inferno remain on schedule as per the project plan. Renovation has been completed on two of the blocks that were affected, and inmates have already taken occupation thereof. The Green Block will house 1152 offenders and the process of transferring them back to the facility will commence imminently.
Managing Director of Kutama Sinthumule Correctional Facility, Lazarus Bahula provided an overview of the progress on the renovation of the Green Block. “A number of minor concerns were highlighted during a previous inspection that was carried out in early July, but those have since been addressed. I would like to thank the National Commissioner for taking his valuable time to come and witness for himself that the renovations are complete and that the Centre is ready to accommodate offenders again,” stated Bahula.
National Commissioner Thobakgale applauded the level of engagement, which resulted in notable improvements in the renovation of the Green Block. “There must be zero chance of a similar incident happening again, and that can be done through Management reflecting back on the original cause of the unrest. Training of officials during riots is critical so that officials are capacitated with skills on how to deal with such incidents,” he said.
Drawing lessons from the incident, the National Commissioner underscored the importance of being proactive as well as strengthening communication between officials and offenders. “The incident has opened our eyes, and through that experience, we need to always develop a plan B to ensure that we anticipate and prevent similar incidents from recurring. We need to have our eyes on the ground to dismantle any planned disruptions,” he added.
The National Commissioner was impressed with the level of dedication demonstrated by the officials, from the beginning of the incident until the completion of renovations at the facility.