Justice and Correctional Services Minister Ronald Lamola has assured Parliament that his department is doing everything necessary to make sure that prison officials implicated in wrongdoing face the full might of the law.
Lamola appeared before Parliament’s Portfolio Committee on Justice and Correctional Services on Tuesday, 3 May 2022.
At least 94 correctional officers have been dismissed since the 2020/21 financial year.
“We are fully aware that our work in Correctional Services will ring hallow if we do not instil a culture of consequence management. DCS is intensifying its campaign and processes to systematically and comprehensively prevent corruption and mismanagement, as well as ensure consequence management,” he said.
Ronald Lamola has now told MPs that they are now keeping a closer eye on correctional service officers and measures, including consequence management will be effectively enforced in correctional facilities.
“We hope to achieve this through tightening of management systems, increasing compliance with policy and controls, internal investigation and sanction, as well as referral to external law enforcement agencies where appropriate. No effort will be spare. Effective consequence management will be implemented. Those who fail to do what they get paid for will face the consequence of their actions,”
Justice and Correctional Services Minister Ronald Lamola
Just recently, a correctional services official was sentenced to five years behind bars for aiding an escape at a Johannesburg correctional facility.