The smuggling of contraband into correctional facilities has raised the eyebrows of the Portfolio Committee on Correctional Services, thus casting a public spotlight on the security protocols of the Department.
Following an oversight visit on Tuesday, 26 February 2025, the Portfolio Committee hailed Ebongweni Super Maximum Correctional Centre (CC) for ensuring strict adherence to the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), which has prevented the smuggling of illicit items into the facility.
The high-risk maximum-security facility is managed on Closed Maximum Principles and houses offenders who fit a specific risk profile.
Just a stone’s throw from Ebongweni, Kokstad Medium CC reported to the members of the portfolio committee that their Pharmacy is Graded A. Members of the Committee also heaped praises on the centre managers and staff after observing an immaculate level of hygiene and precise coordination of meal preparation and food storage in the kitchen.
Following the oversight visits and monitoring at the two facilities, Committee Chairperson, Ms Kgomotso Ramolobeng together with fellow parliamentarians, the Judicial Inspectorate for Correctional Services (JICS), and delegates from the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure sat with the Correctional Services executives from both national and KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) region, to get insight into the operations, including the challenges and pockets of excellence.
Deputy Minister (DM) of Correctional Servives, Lindiwe Ntshalintshali, accompanied by acting National Commissioner Lebogang Marumule and KZN Regional Commissioner Mnikelwa Nxele, led the discussions with a team of dedicated men and women in brown.
Members of the committee posed questions and highlighted concerns in connection with inadequate showers for offenders, toiletries, kitchen equipment, female offenders’ uniform, officials’ uniform, renovation and maintenance of official accommodation, torn towels, the high number of Lesotho foreign nationals incarcerated, non-compliance of service providers and continuous blockage of the sewer line just to mention a few.
Acting National Commissioner Marumule indicated that DCS has placed strict measures, adding that any official caught smuggling contraband will be subjected to consequences management in line with the policy prescripts of the Department.
DM Ntshalintshali said officials’ uniform crisis should be a thing of the past. “Uniform coordination between Human Resources and Logistics Management should be fast-tracked, directing that a turnaround time for redistribution be developed,” stated DM Ntshalintshali. The Committee Chairperson, Kgomotso Ramolobeng, commended the good work done at Ebongweni and encouraged the Department to maintain the status quo. “We do not want to hear of any smuggling of contraband and escapes in the future,” she said. Ramolobeng also urged the Department to ensure that vacancies are filled to reduce acting roles, shortage of staff, and work overload.
