Parliament criticises reporting failures after spike in inmate deaths and corruption claims

The Portfolio Committee on Correctional Services has warned of serious administrative lapses after a rise in inmate deaths and allegations of corruption and exploitation inside South African prisons, the committee said following a meeting on 19 August 2026.

Committee raises alarm over unclear death confirmations

The committee considered the Judicial Inspectorate for Correctional Services (JICS) first-quarter expenditure and performance for 2026/27 and said the watchdog’s records showed significant gaps in confirming deaths in custody.

JICS achieved 54.5% confirmation for unnatural deaths and 51.59% for natural deaths, Committee Chairperson Kgomotso Anthea Ramolobeng said, adding:

“The figures on deaths in custody require far more serious attention than what is being given. When a person dies in custody of the state, there must be no uncertainty, no late paperwork and no administrative gaps. We are highly concerned.”

Unnatural deaths increasing

JICS reported 44 unnatural deaths in the first quarter, compared with 24 in the same period last year. Of those, 39 were classified as “unnatural other – under investigation” and two as suicides by hanging.

The committee also noted that complaints rose by 25%, with 236 complaints lodged, including 52 inmate-on-inmate assaults and 37 complaints involving officials.

Non-compliance and staffing

While the committee acknowledged JICS’ progress in staffing, noting a reduction in the vacancy rate from 41.3% to 6.06%, it said oversight improvements must produce tangible results and warned that repeated non-compliance should carry consequences.

The committee further highlighted a rise in the number of state patients from 328 to 423, saying this increase adds pressure on the correctional system.

Allegations of exploitation, smuggling and corruption

Serious allegations at Kgosi Mampuru II Correctional Centre were detailed to the committee, including claims that inmates are being forced to pay R240 for access to a bunk bed and that those unable to pay are left to sleep on concrete floors in overcrowded cells. The claims, the committee said, include suggestions that money is channelled to individuals outside the facility and that sexual coercion may be linked to sleeping space.

Ramolobeng described those claims as

“particularly disturbing.”

She said that if substantiated, such conduct would constitute a serious violation of inmates’ dignity and raise questions about security, corruption and the management of remand detention facilities.

The Department of Correctional Services undertook to investigate, and the committee said it will demand a detailed briefing on findings and preventative measures.

Contraband and arrests

The committee’s concerns were heightened by reports of contraband smuggling. It noted the recent arrest of a correctional official in the Western Cape after prohibited substances and cellphones were allegedly found in his vehicle during a targeted operation at Goodwood Correctional Centre.

Ramolobeng said:

“Correctional officials must uphold the law and protect the rights and dignity of inmates. Officials found to be involved in corruption or the smuggling of contraband must face the full consequences of the law.”

She emphasised that the committee will continue to require the department to account for steps to strengthen internal controls, combat corruption and ensure inmates have access to basic necessities without exploitation.

Oversight measures

The committee welcomed JICS’ “One Judge, One Jail” campaign to strengthen collaboration with the judiciary and civil society and reiterated that independent oversight is essential to a correctional system founded on accountability, dignity and respect for human rights.