South African prison deaths: Urgent call for reform after surge in incidents

Unnatural deaths, including suicides and homicides, continue to plague South Africa’s correctional facilities, prompting the Portfolio Committee on Correctional Services to demand urgent action from the Department of Correctional Services (DCS).

The committee, which met in Parliament on Tuesday, February 3, urged the DCS to fast-track investigations into all unnatural deaths, particularly in cases where officials are implicated.

Committee chairperson Kgomotso Anthea Ramolobeng said the committee believes that “inadequate supervision and the poor handling of inmates’ complaints contribute significantly to unnatural deaths, especially suicides.”

During the first three quarters of the 2025/26 financial year, 30 confirmed unnatural deaths were reported across correctional facilities nationwide. Suicides accounted for 15 of these deaths, making them the leading cause of unnatural deaths during the period.

The DCS cited inadequate supervision in contravention of standard operating procedures, increasing overcrowding, staff shortages, delays in addressing inmates’ complaints and requests, and mental health challenges among offenders as contributing factors.

Nine homicides were also reported during the same period, with post-mortem reports still outstanding in five cases.

In a progress report to the committee, the DCS revealed that from the 2022 to 2025 financial years, 88 officials were charged in connection with 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.

The committee was told that disciplinary hearings linked to unnatural deaths at Goodwood Correctional Centre are still underway. Concerns were also raised about Oudtshoorn Correctional Centre, where officials who were required to account for incidents were not present during the meeting.

The committee further deliberated on the death of offender Mpho Mkhumbeni at Mangaung Correctional Centre on 12 March 2025. The investigation 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.”

Investigators found that the contractor and its employees attempted to conceal the truth and obstruct the investigation. The committee said it views this conduct in a serious light, as it amounts 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 also recommended that the certification of those implicated be revoked for failing to exercise proper oversight and supervision during the searching process that led to the offender’s death.

The committee further noted the recommendation that the DCS, through the temporary manager, ensure disciplinary action and other corrective measures are instituted against the implicated G4S officials.

Erroneous releases were also discussed, defined as cases where inmates are released earlier than their lawful release dates due to administrative errors and without deliberate foul play. However, the committee took a different view in the case of inmate Thembalethu Inganathi Daba.

It was established that on 9 September 2025, Daba 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. He exited the facility undetected in place of another inmate.

The error was only discovered on 18 September 2025 during a roll call and warrant consolidation process.

Ramolobeng said the committee is of the opinion that this incident constitutes an escape, a view supported by video footage presented to the committee. The DCS was requested to submit a comprehensive report clarifying whether this was the offender’s first court appearance.

Concluding the meeting, Ramolobeng said: “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.”

For more stories from The Mercury click the link THE MERCURY