GQEBERHA – The National Commissioner of the Department of Correctional Services (DCS), Makgothi Thobakgale, visited St Albans Correctional Centre, a prison in Gqeberha, on Tuesday, 20 October, to assess whether officials were following standard operating procedures (SOPs) and to reinforce discipline, punctuality and preparedness for duty.

The visit also addressed a recent diarrhoeal outbreak linked to a sewage blockage at the facility.

According to the DCS statement, Thobakgale inspected daily parades for shifts commencing at 06:00, 07:00 and 11:00, as well as the Medium A, Medium B and Maximum correctional centres. He also checked security during the morning unlock, with no major security incidents reported.

Thobakgale emphasised the importance of parades in ensuring smooth shift changes, timely reporting of incidents and compliance with departmental procedures, as he addressed officials during the daily parade.

“We reintroduced parades in 2022 to institutionalise the Department of Correctional Services,” he said. “We are faced with many challenges as an organisation and cannot add to these by failing to enforce our SOPs.”

He explained that the reintroduction of parades at every shift change in 2022 was aimed at improving discipline, communication between outgoing and incoming shifts, and the reporting of incidents.

Thobakgale acknowledged the shortage of staff and said the department was working to address staffing and promotion-related challenges, with feedback to follow. He also commended officials who consistently attend parades and comply with their conditions of employment.

Punctuality and discipline

Thobakgale said punctuality among officials at St Albans had improved.

“Yesterday, 19 October 2026, we observed a significant improvement, where out of the full complement, only two officials were late,” he said.

He nevertheless cautioned officials against arriving late, saying punctuality was important for shift handovers, briefings and planning.

“There is uneven performance in terms of our officials arriving at work on time to be briefed about what happened during the previous shift and to plan together for the next shift. This is very important, especially for a security department like Correctional Services,” he said.

Thobakgale urged officials to take responsibility for their duties and ensure they were ready to work from the beginning of each shift.

Investing in the future

The National Commissioner welcomed learners completing their practical training at St Albans and encouraged them to maintain professional standards.

“They must ensure that they do not pick up bad habits in the workplace. It starts with ensuring that they arrive on time, are part of the parade, wear their uniform properly and are ready for duty,” he said.

Thobakgale highlighted the role of new recruits in shaping the department’s future, particularly in advancing the objectives of DCS Vision 2068.

“They are the future of Correctional Services. They are the ones who will determine the type of Correctional Services we have in the coming 50 years,” he said.

Containing the outbreak

The visit also addressed the recent diarrhoeal outbreak at St Albans, which was linked to a blockage in the sewage pipes. Thobakgale said measures had been put in place to contain the situation and prevent it from spreading further.

“Our nurses are attending to the inmates. We have taken the water for testing, and other tests are being done. The situation has been contained from spreading further, and a contractor has arrived on site to sort out the blockage,” he said.

The response included medical attention for affected inmates, water testing and the appointment of a contractor to repair the sewage blockage.

Concluding the visit, Thobakgale stressed the importance of engaging directly with officials and inmates to understand challenges at the facility and improve accountability.

“From the discussions that I have had with the staff, it has come out that it is important for myself as a National Commissioner to have a meeting with the full complement of the Regional Executive, the staff and offenders,” he said.

The department said the visit reaffirmed the importance of discipline, accountability and compliance in maintaining safe and orderly correctional facilities.

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