department of correctional serviceslatest news & developments
Minister of Correctional Services Pieter Groenewald

Pieter Groenewald: Correctional Services

SCORE: C In 2025, Groenewald stepped down from his leadership role in the Freedom Front Plus to focus on his ministerial duties. In June, parliament’s portfolio committee on correctional services warned of a projected R1.4 billion overspend for the department for the 2024/25 fiscal year. It flagged food costs, a high number of inmates, rising […]

  • Eyaaz
1 min read
Correctional Services Minister Pieter Groenewald told the parliamentary committee that he would monitor the department’s use of consultants and look “into the amount of money we can save”. (Delwyn Verasamy/M&G)

Correctional services cuts consultant costs, pushes to build internal capacity

The department is implementing a formal strategy to curb irregular expenditure and align procurement with the treasury

  • Des Erasmus
4 min read
Correctional Services commissioner Makgothi Thobakgale. (DCS)

Prisons commissioner orders inquiry in response to M&G ‘holidays in hospital’ exposé

A deputy commissioner will investigate claims that wealthy prisoners are buying themselves preferential treatment in jail

  • Eyaaz
2 min read
Thabo Bester appears at Bloemfontein Magistrate’s Court on August 08, 2023 in Bloemfontein, South Africa. (Photo by Frikkie Kapp/Gallo Images via Getty Images)

Mchunu confirms Thabo Bester was detained and then released while he was on the run

Convicted rapist and murderer Thabo Bester showed police officers a fraudulent identity document after being apprehended for speeding in July 2022

  • Des Erasmus
3 min read
Oscar Pistorius was jailed for killing his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp in 2013

Oscar Pistorius’ lawyer eyes ‘immediate release’ if he gets parole

The former former Paralympian was jailed for killing his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp in 2013

  • Eyaaz
2 min read