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The Portfolio Committee on Correctional Services has expressed serious concern over the continued unnatural deaths of offenders in correctional facilities. It urged the Department of Correctional Services (DCS) to fast-track investigations into these unnatural deaths, particularly in cases where officials are implicated.
 
Committee Chairperson Ms Kgomotso Anthea Ramolobeng said the committee is of the view that inadequate supervision and the poor handling of inmates’ complaints contribute significantly to unnatural deaths, especially suicides.
 
The committee was informed that during the first three quarters of the 2025/26 financial year, 30 confirmed unnatural deaths were reported across various regions. Of these, suicides accounted for 15 cases, making them the leading cause of unnatural deaths in correctional facilities during this period. According to the DCS, contributing factors include inadequate supervision in units in contravention of standard operating procedures, increasing overcrowding, staff shortages, delays in addressing inmates’ complaints and requests, and mental health challenges among offenders.
 
During the same period, nine homicides were reported. In five cases, post-mortem reports are still outstanding.
 
In a progress report presented by the DCS, the committee was informed that between the 2022–2025 financial years, 88 officials were charged in the unnatural deaths of offenders. Of these cases, 49 have been finalised, while 39 remain pending. Consequence management in finalised cases resulted in 20 acquittals, 10 suspensions without pay and nine dismissals.
 
Regarding the unnatural deaths at Goodwood Correctional Centre, the committee was informed that disciplinary hearings are still underway. In relation to incidents at Oudtshoorn Correctional Centre, the committee raised concern that officials who were required to account were not present during the meeting.
 
The committee also deliberated on the unnatural death of offender Mr Mpho Mkhumbeni at Mangaung Correctional Centre on 12 March 2025. During the investigation, it was established that a G4S employee, Ms la Grange, instructed officials not to assault the deceased on the face during the assault and torture, but rather on the body, in order to avoid visible injuries.
 
The investigation further uncovered that the contractor and its employees sought to conceal the truth and obstruct the investigation. The committee views this conduct in a serious light, as it is tantamount to defeating the ends of justice.
 
The investigation report recommended that the DCS open a criminal case of defeating the ends of justice against the contractor and the employees involved in the assault and torture of the deceased. It further recommended that the certification of those implicated be revoked for failing to exercise proper oversight and supervision during the searching process, which ultimately led to the death of an offender in their care. The committee also noted the recommendation that the DCS, through the temporary manager, ensure that disciplinary action and other corrective measures are instituted against the implicated G4S officials.
 
The committee further considered the issue of erroneous releases, defined as instances where an inmate is released or placed outside a correctional facility earlier than the lawful release date due to an administrative error, with no deliberate foul play evident. However, in the case of inmate Mr Thembalethu Inganathi Daba, it was established that on 9 September 2025 he misrepresented himself and travelled from Pollsmoor Remand Detention Facility to the Cape Town Court, bypassing security screening and the identification process at the reception section. The inmate misled officials and exited the centre undetected in place of another inmate. The error was only discovered on 18 September 2025 during a rollcall and warrant consolidation process.
 
Ms Ramolobeng stated that the committee is of the opinion that this incident constitutes an escape, as evidenced by video footage presented to the committee. The DCS was requested to provide a comprehensive report clarifying whether this was the offender’s first court appearance.
 
“The committee will closely monitor the implementation of the recommendations contained in the reports presented. We further urge the department to ensure that investigating teams are immediately deployed to facilities when serious incidents occur,” said Ms Ramolobeng.

Issued by the Parliamentary Communication Services on behalf of the Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Correctional Services, Kgomotso Anthea Ramolobeng