The Department of Correctional Services (DCS) will continue expanding its self-sufficiency programme despite facing budget reductions of R683.4 million over the current medium-term expenditure framework, Dr Pieter Groenewald (DCS minister) annnounced in Parliament yesterday (13 May).

Tabling the department’s Budget Vote, Groenewald said, the department’s budget stands at R30.939 billion for the current financial year and is expected to increase to R32.8 billion by 2028/29.

He said the department’s self-sufficiency initiatives were proving critical in the face of rising costs and limited resources.

“If there is one area where resilience is most evident, it is in our drive towards self-sufficiency and sustainability,” Groenewald said.

Cost-effective measures

The minister said the department had expanded agricultural production, workshops and internal manufacturing capabilities, describing them as both cost-saving measures and rehabilitation tools that provide offenders with practical skills.

Among the initiatives highlighted were the establishment of 12 bakeries at correctional facilities, with a 13th bakery expected to become operational in Qalakabusha Correctional Centre in Empangeni during the current financial year.

Groenewald said the bakeries had generated savings of R77.1 million on bread procurement in the 2025/26 financial year.

He added that agricultural production within correctional facilities had yielded savings of R125 million during the same period.

“From farms producing vegetables, meat, and dairy, to workshops manufacturing uniforms, furniture, and essential goods, the department is steadily reducing its reliance on external procurement while enhancing offender development,” he said.

The Witbank Textile Workshop manufactured 40 869 uniform items for officials between April 2025 and February 2026, an increase of 13 047 items compared to the previous financial year.

Furniture production

The DCS is also producing furniture for other state departments.

Groenewald said workshop orders from client departments amounted to R101 700 by the end of February 2026, including work for the Departments of Water and Sanitation, Defence, Public Works and Infrastructure, Justice and Constitutional Development, the Office of the Inspecting Judge and the State Information and Technology Agency.

He encouraged more government departments to source furniture and related supplies from the DCS and revealed that discussions were underway with the Department of Basic Education regarding the production and repair of school desks.

Prison raids

Meanwhile, the minister added that the DCS had significantly intensified security operations at correctional facilities across the country.

According to Groenewald, officials conducted 1 406 raids at prisons nationwide which is a 200% increase from the 466 raids reported during the previous budget debate.

The operations resulted in the confiscation of more than 37 500 cellphones and other contraband items.

“During the December/January holiday period alone, officials carried out searches across correctional facilities nationwide, confiscating over 8 000 cell phones, R102 700 in cash, and numerous other illegal items,” Groenewald said.

He added that there were no escapes during “Operation Vala”.

This operation is the DCS’ annual festive-season security campaign aimed at strengthening prison safety and preventing escapes, assaults and other illegal activities within correctional facilities.

Contraband

Groenewald rejected suggestions that the large number of confiscated items reflected operational failures, arguing instead that the raids demonstrated a more aggressive security strategy.

“The large-scale confiscations and frequent raids demonstrate our increased control over internal threats,” he said.

The minister warned officials and criminal networks involved in smuggling that authorities were intensifying efforts to root out corruption within correctional facilities.

A strict zero-tolerance policy on cellphone use inside correctional facilities will also be introduced over the coming year, with officials set to transition to two-way radios for internal communication. The policy will initially be implemented at selected facilities before being expanded nationwide.

Disciplinary cases

Groenewald said the department remained committed to accountability and disciplinary action against officials implicated in misconduct.

During the reporting period, 2 388 officials faced disciplinary hearings, with 2 138 cases already finalised. Of those cases, 137 involved contraband-related misconduct.

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“Discipline, accountability, and ethical conduct are non-negotiable,” Groenewald said.

Despite ongoing challenges facing the correctional system, the minister vowed that the department would continue strengthening security, improving operations and fulfilling its constitutional mandate

This article was compiled using reports from the South African Government News Agency.