GQEBERHA – The National Commissioner Makgothi Thobakgale visited St Albans Management Area in the Eastern Cape on Tuesday, 20 October to assess compliance with standard operating procedures (SOPs) and reinforce discipline, punctuality and operational preparedness among officials, also addressing a recent diarrhoeal outbreak linked to a sewage blockage at the facility.

According to the Department of Correctional Services (DSC) statement, during the visit, 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. Operational oversight also included attention to 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 consistent 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 strengthening institutional discipline, improving communication between outgoing and incoming shifts, and ensuring the effective reporting of incidents.

Thobakgale acknowledged the shortage of human resources and indicated that 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 & discipline

Reflecting on the findings, Thobakgale noted an improvement in punctuality among officials at St Albans.

“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, emphasising that punctuality is essential for effective shift handovers, proper briefings and operational 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 stressed that discipline and preparedness are fundamental to the effective functioning of correctional facilities, and urged officials to take responsibility for their duties and ensure that they are ready to perform their functions from the beginning of each shift.

Investing in the future

The National Commissioner welcomed a group of learners completing their practicals at St Albans and encouraged them to uphold the department’s standards and maintain a culture of professionalism.

“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 important role of new recruits in shaping the future of the department, 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 Management Area, which was linked to a blockage in the sewage pipes. Thobakgale assured stakeholders that measures had been implemented to contain the situation and prevent further spread.

“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 address the sewage blockage.

Concluding the visit, Thobakgale underscored the importance of direct engagement with officials and offenders as a means of understanding operational challenges and strengthening accountability across the department.

“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 operational discipline, accountability and compliance in maintaining safe and orderly correctional facilities.

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