Latest news with #SamuelThobakgale
The Herald
3 days ago
- Business
- The Herald
We're cleaning up: Correctional services minister opens prison bakery
Correctional services minister Pieter Groenewald says awaiting trial prisoners, unemployed detainees and thousands of foreigners in South African jails are costing taxpayers millions. 'We have about six inmates who have been awaiting trial for more than 10 years. There are ways in terms of legislation where we can request for them to go back to court. But it's not very successful,' said Groenewald. Groenewald was speaking at the opening of a bakery at the Westville correctional facility on Thursday. He was accompanied by national commissioner Samuel Thobakgale. Groenewald said another problem which contributed to overcrowding was that more than 3,000 remand detainees could not afford to pay bail of R3,000 or less. Groenewald said there was a process in place to establish a bail fund to alleviate this. He said there were more than 26,000 foreigners detained at correctional facilities, 13,000 of whom were detainees. 'I hope that by next year this time the department would have legislation in place so we can deport them to their countries of origin,' said Groenewald. He said foreigners were costing the taxpayers more than R11m a month. 'If they want to continue with their criminality they should do it in their own country,' he said. He said with the bakery producing 3,840 loaves daily, more than 50 inmates were benefiting from the much-needed skills training for which inmates received certificates. 'That is very important because it ensues that inmates are part of rehabilitation so when they leave the prison they are self-sufficient and can reintegrate into the society,' said Groenewald. He said the department wanted to set up 20 bakeries in correctional facilities by 2028. 'We serve the people of South Africa to the benefit of taxpayers. With this initiative we are able to save around R3m annually on the bakery,' said Groenewald. He said the department had spent more than R7m to build and establish the bakery, which he deemed to be a investment. 'A loaf of bread costs us R8 compared with the R23 we were paying external suppliers,' he said.
TimesLIVE
4 days ago
- TimesLIVE
Umlazi GBV parolees get night visit from correctional services
Gender-based violence (GBV) parolees in Umlazi and their families got a surprise visit from correctional services commissioner Makgothi Samuel Thobakgale on Wednesday night. Thobakgale was on a parolee monitoring operation in the township, south of Durban, as part of Women's Month activities to increase awareness about GBV and femicide. He said, last weekend during a visit to Seshego in Limpopo, a female parolee wasn't at home. 'It was later found she was at a place where you consume alcohol. If those conditions are not complied with, it is a sign that the parolee is on their way back to a life of crime,' said Thobakgale. 'We know August is a month when we celebrate women. We also ensure girls and children are safe. We not only focus on their economic opportunities, making homes and families warm, but also focus on their conditions of safety.' While there were some women offenders, their male counterparts continue to account for most offences, with 160,000 in prison. 'With women its far less, about 5,000. We need to assist these women. But the elephant in the room is men who continue to offend.' He was optimistic about feedback they received, not only from offenders but their families who have taken them back. 'Out of all the homes we have monitored we are happy so far,' said Thobakgale.
The South African
07-07-2025
- The South African
Inmates scam the public from prison: Phones seized in surprise raid
Acting on intelligence about a scam operation run by inmates, National Commissioner of Correctional Services Makgothi Samuel Thobakgale personally led a weekend raid at Baviaanspoort Correctional Centre. Also, the surprise raid uncovered several mobile phones and other contraband, with officials discovering 'sophisticated hideout spots' used to conceal the devices inside prison cells. 'What is most alarming is that these illicit activities were carried out in broad daylight, raising serious concerns about lapses in vigilance and continuous monitoring by officials,' the department stated. Following the raid, authorities transferred all implicated inmates to the maximum-security unit (C-Max) at Kgosi Mampuru II Correctional Centre. A forensic analysis of the seized devices is also underway to assess the scam's full extent and aid further legal action. Furthermore, Thobakgale has demanded an urgent report from Baviaanspoort's management explaining how the scam could occur undetected. 'This glaring security breach has prompted the National Commissioner to demand a full report from the centre's management,' the department confirmed. The Department of Correctional Services has reaffirmed its zero-tolerance stance on contraband and internal criminal activity. Additionally, ongoing raids aim to dismantle illicit operations within prisons and stop illegal items from entering facilities. 'While removing illegal items is a key focus, equal attention is being given to preventing their entry in the first place. Any official found to be complicit in smuggling will face the full might of the law, with no leniency afforded,' the department warned. Thobakgale has instructed the Baviaanspoort Correctional Centre to develop and submit a detailed plan to address the operational failings that enabled the incident. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
TimesLIVE
05-06-2025
- Sport
- TimesLIVE
270 correctional services employees to line up for Comrades Marathon
Exercise improves focus and productivity at work, says national correctional services commissioner Makgothi Samuel Thobakgale. An avid runner, he shared his good wishes to the 270 departmental staff participating in the Comrades Marathon, which will start in Pietermaritzburg and end in Durban this weekend. He is hoping for a strong performance and will attend the event to cheer on the team.
