{"id":10820,"date":"2026-05-11T07:57:47","date_gmt":"2026-05-11T07:57:47","guid":{"rendered":"\/?page_id=10820"},"modified":"2026-05-11T07:57:47","modified_gmt":"2026-05-11T07:57:47","slug":"portfolio-committee-conducts-oversight-visit-to-drakenstein-correctional-facility","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"\/?page_id=10820","title":{"rendered":"Portfolio Committee Conducts Oversight Visit to Drakenstein Correctional Facility"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-1 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" data-id=\"10826\" src=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/Pic-4-1-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-10826\" srcset=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/Pic-4-1-1024x683.jpg 1024w, \/wp-content\/uploads\/Pic-4-1-300x200.jpg 300w, \/wp-content\/uploads\/Pic-4-1-768x512.jpg 768w, \/wp-content\/uploads\/Pic-4-1-400x267.jpg 400w, \/wp-content\/uploads\/Pic-4-1.jpg 1392w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>On 5 May 2026, Parliament\u2019s Portfolio Committee on Correctional Services conducted an oversight visit to Drakenstein Correctional Facility in the Western Cape Region, as part of its ongoing programme to assess operational conditions and support improvements across correctional centres.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery alignright has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-2 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" data-id=\"10827\" src=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/Pic-3-3-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-10827\" srcset=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/Pic-3-3-1024x683.jpg 1024w, \/wp-content\/uploads\/Pic-3-3-300x200.jpg 300w, \/wp-content\/uploads\/Pic-3-3-768x512.jpg 768w, \/wp-content\/uploads\/Pic-3-3-400x267.jpg 400w, \/wp-content\/uploads\/Pic-3-3.jpg 1392w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>During the visit, the Committee observed a range of rehabilitation initiatives aimed at equipping offenders with practical skills and supporting their reintegration into society. These included poultry farming, vegetable production, textile work, and bakery operations; demonstrating the facility\u2019s commitment to self-sufficiency and offender development.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The visit was also prompted by a recent security incident which resulted in the death of an offender. Portfolio Committee Chairperson, Ms Kgomotso Ramolobeng, emphasised the importance of maintaining a secure environment while strengthening operational systems.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cFollowing the incident, the Committee found it necessary to conduct oversight at the facility. While the overall environment is clean and programmes are progressing well, there are areas that require attention, particularly in relation to infrastructure and equipment maintenance,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery alignright has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-3 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" data-id=\"10828\" src=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/Pic-2-9-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-10828\" srcset=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/Pic-2-9-1024x683.jpg 1024w, \/wp-content\/uploads\/Pic-2-9-300x200.jpg 300w, \/wp-content\/uploads\/Pic-2-9-768x512.jpg 768w, \/wp-content\/uploads\/Pic-2-9-400x267.jpg 400w, \/wp-content\/uploads\/Pic-2-9.jpg 1392w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Among the issues identified were the condition of the bakery floor and non-operating of some of the textile machines, which impact production capacity. The Chairperson noted that addressing these challenges would enhance efficiency and support the facility\u2019s self-sufficiency objectives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Ms Ramolobeng also commended the Department for progress made in recruitment processes to fill vacancies arising from early voluntary retirements earlier this year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>National Commissioner of the Department of Correctional Services, Mr Makgothi Thobakgale, acknowledged ongoing challenges related to disciplinary cases within the management area.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cWe currently have approximately 130 disciplinary cases across the Department, with 65 linked to the Drakenstein Management Area. This places strain on operations, as suspended officials are not available for duty. However, we are working to finalise these matters in line with applicable government prescripts,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery alignright has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-4 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" data-id=\"10829\" src=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/Pic-1-6-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-10829\" srcset=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/Pic-1-6-1024x683.jpg 1024w, \/wp-content\/uploads\/Pic-1-6-300x200.jpg 300w, \/wp-content\/uploads\/Pic-1-6-768x512.jpg 768w, \/wp-content\/uploads\/Pic-1-6-400x267.jpg 400w, \/wp-content\/uploads\/Pic-1-6.jpg 1392w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>The National Commissioner further highlighted infrastructure constraints, particularly the limited capacity of the facility\u2019s hospital in the context of overcrowding. Measures are being implemented to strengthen healthcare services, including increasing the number of nursing staff.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The oversight visit reaffirmed the Portfolio Committee\u2019s commitment to supporting the Department in strengthening security, improving infrastructure, and advancing rehabilitation efforts within correctional facilities.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>On 5 May 2026, Parliament\u2019s Portfolio Committee on Correctional Services conducted an oversight visit to Drakenstein Correctional Facility in the Western Cape Region, as part of its ongoing programme to assess operational conditions and support improvements across correctional centres. During<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2851,"featured_media":10825,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/10820"}],"collection":[{"href":"\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/2851"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=10820"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/10820\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":10830,"href":"\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/10820\/revisions\/10830"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/10825"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=10820"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}