Cape Town – The Portfolio Committee on Correctional Services has expressed serious concern about what it calls a “worrying trend” of rising assaults on correctional officers across the country.
Speaking after a recent oversight visit, committee chairperson Bulelani Magwanishe said the situation had reached alarming levels.
“We cannot ignore the growing number of attacks on our officials. Their safety must be treated as a matter of urgency,” he said, as reported by IOL.
The committee said the attacks highlight broader challenges within South Africa’s correctional facilities, including overcrowding, staff shortages, and deteriorating infrastructure. “When a facility meant for 100 inmates is housing 150, the tension and risk increase dramatically,” Magwanishe noted in Parliament.
According to the Public Servants Association (PSA), the country’s prisons currently accommodate around 150 000 inmates, despite having capacity for only about 105 000. The union warned that chronic understaffing has left correctional officers overstretched and vulnerable. “Our members are working under extreme pressure in unsafe conditions. These are not isolated incidents — they are symptoms of a system under strain,” said PSA spokesperson Reuben Maleka in a statement.
The committee’s report found that poor infrastructure and outdated equipment have worsened working conditions. In some centres, nearly half of the kitchen and security systems are reportedly non-functional.
“We have officials preparing meals under unsafe conditions, and security systems that no longer work. This is unacceptable,” Magwanishe added.
Another issue raised during the parliamentary briefing was the growing number of remand detainees — inmates awaiting trial, many of whom remain behind bars because they cannot afford bail. The committee said this backlog has contributed to overcrowding and rising tensions among inmates.
In its recommendations, the committee called on the Department of Correctional Services to fill vacant posts, upgrade critical infrastructure and strengthen safety protocols for staff. It also urged government to fast-track judicial processes to reduce the number of detainees awaiting trial.
The Department of Correctional Services, in its 2023/24 annual report, acknowledged that “overcrowding and resource constraints continue to impact operational stability.” However, the committee insisted that immediate intervention was needed to prevent further violence.
“If we fail to act, we risk losing control of our facilities and putting more lives at risk,” Magwanishe warned.
Follow African Insider on Facebook, X and Instagram
Picture: Pixabay
For more African news, visit Africaninsider.com
Compiled by Lisabeal Nqamqhele
