DCS to Institute Disciplinary Action Against Officials Over W Cape Prison Incidents

The incidents, recorded last year, include an erroneous inmate release, inmate deaths, and violent attacks on correctional officials, prompting a series of internal investigations.

The Department of Correctional Services (DCS) is set to institute disciplinary proceedings against senior managers and officials implicated in several serious, though unrelated, incidents at correctional facilities in the Western Cape. This was announced by DCS National Commissioner Makgothi Thobakgale during a media briefing held in Pretoria on Monday.

The incidents, recorded last year, include an erroneous inmate release, inmate deaths, and violent attacks on correctional officials, prompting a series of internal investigations.

“These investigations were conducted in terms of the Correctional Services Act, 111 of 1998, with the objectives of establishing facts, determining accountability, restoring public confidence and ensuring appropriate corrective and disciplinary action,” Thobakgale said.

He stressed that transparency around the findings was necessary, as the incidents directly affect public safety, human rights, staff security and the integrity of the correctional system.

Independent Handling of Disciplinary and Criminal Matters

Given the gravity and frequency of the incidents, the National Commissioner said he has recommended to the Minister that criminal and disciplinary matters be handled by an independent legal entity external to the Department of Correctional Services.

“The nature of these incidents, combined with the province’s high levels of crime and the alleged orchestration of criminal activity within our correctional centres, necessitates the implementation of extraordinary measures,” Thobakgale said.

The investigations focused on incidents at the Oudtshoorn Correctional Centre and the Pollsmoor Remand Detention Facility.

Oudtshoorn Medium A Correctional Centre Incident

In August last year, a violent altercation during a routine search operation at Oudtshoorn Medium A Correctional Centre resulted in four officials sustaining stab wounds and the death of inmate Simphiwe Celise.

According to the investigation, Celise played a leading role in the attack on correctional officials and subsequently died following physical altercations with officials. His death was classified as unnatural.

The investigation found that the incident could have been mitigated had management anticipated retaliation, particularly in light of clear warning signs displayed by inmates the previous day.

“It further established that management at both Area and Centre levels failed to exercise effective command and control of the operation,” Thobakgale said, citing inadequate risk assessment, insufficient coordination and lack of decisive leadership.

Additional findings included non-compliance with use-of-force prescripts, unprocedural reporting and systemic failures in oversight.

Disciplinary action will be instituted against implicated officials, managers and medical personnel, while inmates involved in the stabbing will also face disciplinary processes.

Pollsmoor Erroneous Release

In September last year, inmate Thembalethu Inganathi Daba was erroneously released from Pollsmoor Remand Detention Facility after impersonating another detainee scheduled to appear in court.

Daba successfully bypassed identification procedures, misrepresented himself before the court and was released on warning. The incident was detected only during a routine roll call, and he was re-arrested 12 days later.

The investigation concluded that the release was not an administrative error, but rather a deliberate escape facilitated by impersonation and serious operational failures.

Failures were identified in inmate supervision, advance handling of court lists, management oversight and the functionality of biometric identification systems. Criminal and disciplinary processes are currently underway, alongside corrective measures to prevent recurrence.

Stabbing of Officials and Detainee Deaths at Pollsmoor

In October, at the same facility, two correctional officials were attacked and stabbed by at least three detainees. The officials called for backup, and the confrontation ultimately resulted in the deaths of the remand detainees.

The investigation revealed that the incident followed an unauthorised departure of several officials from the unit, leading to a significant breach of security controls.

While the investigation confirmed that the detainees initiated the attack and that the officials initially acted in self-defence, it also found that some responding officials applied force outside prescribed regulations.

Significant shortcomings were identified in risk assessment processes, gang management protocols and inmate supervision.

Disciplinary action will be taken against implicated officials, as well as supervisory and security management, for dereliction of duty. Corrective measures include reclassification of inmates, strengthened gang management strategies and tighter controls on inmate labour.

Restoring Integrity and Public Confidence

Thobakgale reaffirmed the department’s commitment to ensuring that correctional centres are managed in a lawful, ethical and professional manner, and that systemic weaknesses are addressed decisively.

“The department will institute disciplinary proceedings against implicated senior managers and officials, address systemic weaknesses, and ensure accountability at all levels,” he said.

The measures, he added, are aimed at restoring public confidence and reinforcing the integrity of South Africa’s correctional system.