South Africa’s prison population is said to number over 157 000 will have an extra 1 003 “correctional officials” to ensure effective prisoner management. On the 10th April 2024 department of Correctional services national commissioner Makgothi Thobakgale said the 1 003 “learners” have been appointed and will take up duties in the 2024/25 financial year. The new officials are deployed across all 9 provinces including the Northern Cape. According to information, number-wise, Western Cape Correctional services facilities gained the most with 466 new members. Other provincial staffing needs see 214 going to the KwaZulu-Natal province, 107 to the Eastern Cape province, 75 shared between the Limpopo, Mpumalanga and Limpopo provinces, 69 between the Free State and Northern Cape and 64 to the Gauteng province.

Journalist: Tsosangkgotla Mararang
Email: tsosan@radioriverside.co.za