By Johnathan Paoli
Parliament’s Portfolio Committee on Correctional Services has raised serious concerns over a sharp spike in the price of bread procured by the Correctional Services Department, warning that public funds are being unnecessarily drained by inflated supplier costs.
Committee chair Kgomotso Ramolobeng said the department now paid R22.95 per loaf (up from R13.36 in 2024), far higher than the average retail price paid by ordinary South Africans.
“It cannot be that we are paying so much. We note and welcome the input by the minister that the procedure of appointment of contractors is being re-worked, as the price is excessive,” Ramolobeng said.
The committee emphasised that while it appreciated the department’s efforts to root out corruption, urgent intervention was needed to prevent unjustifiable spending on bread for correctional centres.
During the briefing, the committee also reviewed the department’s self-sufficiency initiatives, particularly the expansion of prison-run bakeries.
These bakeries, staffed by inmates and managed by correctional officials, have proven to be a major cost-saving success.
In the 2024/25 financial year, the department saved over R27.4 million by baking its own bread at a cost of R7.91 per loaf, significantly lower than the R13.36 paid to external suppliers.
Currently, there are 11 operational bakeries across the country, with a 12th launched for test baking at the Durban Correctional Centre last week.
The first bakery was established in 1992 at Kgosi Mampuru II, formerly C-Max Prison, in Pretoria.
These facilities supply over 60% of the bread consumed in South African prisons and juvenile centres, with 426,000 loaves produced monthly.
The department plans to expand the programme to eight more facilities, including Nigel, Krugersdorp, Brandvlei, Upington and Overberg, with the aim of achieving full bread production capacity nationwide.
The committee welcomed this expansion and called for accelerated implementation so that all correctional centres could become self-sufficient in bread production.
The department also revealed that 190 prisoners worked in these bakeries daily, earning gratuities ranging from R2 to R9 per day depending on skill levels.
While this has drawn scrutiny from labour rights groups, the department insists the programme contributes significantly to offender rehabilitation, skills development and reintegration.
Despite the success of inmate-run bakeries, the committee voiced frustration over the continued reliance on costly suppliers.
Recent audits flagged R4.4 million in inflated food procurement contracts signed during 2024.
In response, the department is implementing uniform pricing negotiations and reviewing supplier contracts to ensure value for money.
Beyond bread procurement, the committee also examined the department’s heavy dependence on consultants.
In the 2024/25 financial year, the department spent R119.2 million on external expertise, citing governance challenges, skills shortages and project complexity.
Parliamentarians pressed the department on whether these consultancy engagements included skills transfer clauses to build internal capacity and reduce long-term reliance.
Correctional Services Minister Pieter Groenewald defended the use of consultants in some cases, but stressed the importance of restraint.
“We must be absolutely sure that when we appoint a consultant, it is necessary. There are circumstances where you have no option, but we will look very carefully into that to see what money we can save,” he said.
The department has already started implementing a reduction strategy by upskilling staff and tightening oversight of consultant spending.
However, the Auditor-General previously raised red flags over excessive consultancy fees, including R13.6 million paid to 18 consultants for just 225 days of work in 2023/24.
The committee urged the department to fast-track bakery expansion and reduce reliance on overpriced suppliers and consultants, stressing that there was a critical need to prioritise internal production where possible and focus on sustainable, long-term solutions.
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