By Levy Masiteng
The Portfolio Committee on Correctional Services has asked the Department of Correctional Services (DCS) to fast-track investigations into the growing number of unnatural deaths in South Africa’s correctional facilities, particularly in cases where officials are allegedly implicated.
The committee said this week that 30 confirmed unnatural deaths were recorded across correctional centres during the first three quarters of the 2025/26 financial year.
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Committee chairperson Kgomotso Anthea Ramolobeng said MPs were troubled by the trend.
“The committee is of the view that inadequate supervision and the poor handling of inmates’ complaints contribute significantly to unnatural deaths, especially suicides,” Ramolobeng said.
The committee said that, of the 30 deaths reported, 15 were suicides, making them the leading cause of unnatural deaths during the period under review.
It said nine homicides were recorded during the same period, and that
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