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 five post-mortem reports were still outstanding.
Beyond the latest figures, the committee said it had scrutinised historical cases and accountability measures. Between the 2022 and 2025 financial years, it said, 88 correctional officials were charged in connection with unnatural deaths of inmates.
“Of these cases, 49 have been finalised, resulting in 20 acquittals, 10 suspensions without pay and nine dismissals, while 39 cases remain pending,” the committee added.
Concerns were also raised about ongoing disciplinary processes at specific facilities. At Oudtshoorn Correctional Centre, the committee said officials expected to account for incidents failed to attend the meeting.
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The committee also highlighted the death of offender Mpho Mkhumbeni at Mangaung Correctional Centre on 12 March 2025. It said that during the investigation it heard that a G4S employee allegedly instructed officials to assault the offender in a manner that would avoid visible injuries.
The committee said the investigation further revealed attempts by the contractor and its employees 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,” Ramolobeng said.
The committee said the investigation report recommended that DCS open a criminal case of defeating the ends of justice against the contractor and the employees involved.
It said the report also called for the revocation of certification of those implicated for failing to exercise proper oversight and supervision, and for disciplinary action and corrective measures to be instituted against the implicated G4S officials.
The committee said it had examined cases of erroneous releases, where inmates are unlawfully released due to administrative errors. However, in the case of Thembalethu Inganathi Daba, it said it concluded that the incident constituted an escape, not an administrative error.
“It was established that the inmate misrepresented himself, bypassed security processes at Pollsmoor Remand Detention Facility on 9 September 2025, and exited the facility undetected. The escape was only discovered later during a rollcall,” the committee said.
The committee said DCS had been asked to submit a comprehensive report, including clarity on whether this was the inmate’s first court appearance.
Ramolobeng said parliamentary oversight will intensify going forward.
“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,” she said.
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