Inside SA prisons: 2,388 officials disciplined in major corruption crackdown

Key figures: suspensions, dismissals and offences

In a written reply to questions from EFF MP Nontando Nolutshungu, Groenewald provided a breakdown of the disciplinary cases for the period under review. He said 289 officials had been suspended and 118 dismissed.

According to Groenewald, the officials subjected to disciplinary action included: 2,388 involved in misconduct, 25 involved in corruption, and 137 implicated in aiding the smuggling of contraband such as cellphones and drugs.

Parliamentary question and gang-management progress

Nolutshungu had asked Groenewald for details on progress with the department’s gang management strategy since a Portfolio Committee briefing on 4 March 2026, the funding allocated to the strategy and measurable outcomes, as well as disciplinary action against officials and plans to address perimeter security vulnerabilities.

Groenewald said progress in implementing the gang combatting strategy had contributed to a decline in security incidents across correctional facilities.

“The progress that has been made in the implementation of Gang Combatting Strategy in the Department of Correctional Services (DCS) has resulted in declining of security incidents including gang-related violence amongst others,” Groenewald said.

Operational funding and performance data

The department allocated R24.362 million for goods and services linked to operational matters and implementation of strategies, though Groenewald said no funding was specifically allocated for the gang combatting strategy itself.

Groenewald presented departmental performance figures comparing the 2023/24 and 2025/26 financial years. The percentage of inmates who escaped from correctional facilities declined from 0.030% in 2023/24 to 0.029% in 2024/25 and 0.012% in 2025/26. Recorded escape cases fell from 20 to 4 and remained at 4.

The percentage of inmates injured as a result of reported assaults declined from 4.50% in 2023/24 to 2.28% in 2025/26. Confirmed unnatural deaths in correctional facilities remained relatively stable over the same period, the department said.

Perimeter security and infrastructure plans

To address infrastructure challenges, Groenewald said the department had developed a multi-year plan to strengthen perimeter security across correctional facilities. The plan includes repairing or replacing damaged sections of perimeter fencing, and where necessary replacing the entire perimeter with stronger fencing alongside upgrades such as access control, surveillance, scanning technology, increased patrols and tighter operational discipline.

“The DCS multi-year plan is to repair or replace damaged sections of the perimeter fence, where necessary the entire perimeter will be replaced with stronger fence, access control, surveillance, scanning technology, patrols and tighter operational discipline,” Groenewald said.

He added that infrastructure funding would be prioritised in areas requiring major fencing upgrades and that a perimeter fencing programme would be aligned with available budgets over a five-year period. Groenewald said funded perimeter fencing and security projects would be implemented during the 2026/27 financial year at St Albans Management Area in the Eastern Cape and Durban Westville Correctional Centre in KwaZulu-Natal.

What was asked in Parliament

• Progress on the gang management strategy since a 4 March 2026 briefing
• Funding allocated to the gang combatting strategy and measurable outcomes
• Disciplinary action taken against officials
• Plans to address perimeter security vulnerabilities

This account is based on the Department of Correctional Services figures and the minister’s written reply to Parliament.