Kutama Sinthumule Facility repairs near completion

LIMPOPO – The national commissioner of the Department of Correctional Services, Makgothi Samuel Thobakgale, expressed satisfaction with the ongoing repairs and improvements at the Kutama Sinthumule Correctional Facility.

Thobakgale visited the facility on Thursday to inspect the progress of repairs following a fire in August 2023.

During his visit, he assessed the re-admission process for inmates who had been temporarily relocated to other facilities during the repair work. A total of 1 872 offenders have been re-admitted to Kutama Sinthumule, with plans to have the entire facility fully operational by the end of July.

“Thus far, we have been able to accommodate the 1 872 offenders. The facility, which has a capacity of 3 024 beds, is on track to house all inmates across its three main sections: yellow, blue, and green. Currently, offenders are housed in the yellow and blue sections. The green section, which can accommodate 1 152 offenders, is the final part under inspection,” Thobakgale stated.

He further noted that the repair work, conducted by the contractor as part of a contractual agreement, was not funded by the government budget.

“The repairs have prepared us to operate at full capacity, housing 3 024 offenders as per our contract. Our legal team is reviewing the final report submitted by the contractor, which includes feedback from inmates and recommendations for improvements. While the report doesn’t focus solely on the fire, it outlines steps to ensure the facility operates efficiently and in compliance with the Correctional Services Act and the Constitution,” he added.

Thobakgale highlighted the repair process as an opportunity for re-training correctional officials and enhancing their skills.

“The renovation has allowed us to renew the facility’s safety features and install new components in the electronic security system. We now have an improved correctional facility with advanced security systems,” he concluded.