State of South Africa's correctional facilities raises alarm over budget shortfalls

The Portfolio Committee on Correctional Services reiterated its deep concerns about the unsustainable state of correctional facilities across South Africa.

The committee outlined that chronic budget shortfalls have rendered many facilities unable to maintain basic operational standards, threatening the wellbeing of inmates and staff alike.

During the session, the committee received a briefing from the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure (DPWI) concerning ongoing disputes related to user charges, as well as key issues identified during oversight visits to various correctional facilities.

The DPWI highlighted that itemised billing, sanctioned by the National Treasury (NT), has resulted in a staggering shortfall of R24.1 billion since its implementation.

This has raised alarm bells, especially as the rates approved by the NT fall significantly short of what is needed for full cost recovery.

Currently, the DPWI, which serves as the landlord for government properties, receives an average rent of R23.24 per square metre from client departments. In stark contrast, the costs paid to the private sector for maintenance amount to R110 per square meter.

The vast discrepancies have forced the DPWI to operate at a crippling loss, particularly concerning the properties it manages for the Department of Correctional Services.

Over the past five years, DPWI has reported a cumulative deficit of R1.9 billion, averaging losses of R376 million annually.

Committee Chairperson Kgomotso Anthea Ramolobeng said it does not help if one has a beautiful kitchen in a centre with five or six stoves, but only one is working.

"We saw that for ourselves in KwaZulu-Natal,” she added. 

She implored the task team to prioritise areas that require immediate attention to avert further deterioration.

“Once inmates are unable to eat or are given one meal a day, it becomes a serious challenge,” she added, stressing the critical nature of regular meal provision in correctional facilities.

The committee is advocating for the continuation of maintenance efforts, urging the Department of Correctional Services to leverage offender labour for repairs.

Ramolobeng emphasised the importance of filling artisan vacancies, which could potentially facilitate the rejuvenation of under-maintained facilities.

In a bid to address these pressing issues, the committee has called for a meeting of all heads of departments from the DPWI, DCS, and NT to deliberate on user charge allocations that have cost taxpayers over R842 million in the current 2024/25 period.

Despite these funds being allocated, a significant portion of maintenance responsibilities has been shifted back to the DCS, stirring concern among committee members regarding accountability and effective resource utilisation.

Moving forward, the committee has proposed inviting the National Treasury to provide further insight into these matters, and it has mandated that regular updates be provided from the task team, which is expected to forge viable solutions for the internal conflicts and external challenges facing South Africa’s correctional facilities.

IOL