Category: Africa

The transfers of suspected criminal mastermind, Vusimuzi ‘Cat’ Matlala and convicted rapist and murderer, Thabo Bester, to the super maximum eBongweni Correctional Centre in Kokstad, were done in line with security assessments.

This according to Correctional Services National Commissioner Makgothi Thobakgale.

The Commissioner was responding to questions during a media briefing held in Pretoria on Monday. 

“On a daily basis, we conduct risk assessments. We also assess threats that have to do with the system. We also assess threats and risks that have to do with each and every inmate that we accommodate in a correctional facility.

“This analysis becomes part of a security plan that each and every correctional facility develops on a daily basis. The transfers of inmate Cat Matlala and Thabo Bester were informed by this security and threats analysis,” Thobakgale explained.

Matlala was transferred to the facility in December while Bester was moved late last month.

Both were previously held at the Kgoši Mampuru II Correctional Centre (C-Max) in Pretoria.

“It is with good reason and for the safety of both inmates. Apart, of course, from ensuring that the safety and security in the correctional system is not undermined by any activity that is associated with both inmates.

“Transfers are administered on a daily basis. For example, yesterday an inmate was transferred from the Eastern Cape to Ebongweni after being reclassified from medium to high security because of activities, criminal, associated [with him] that were detected.

“For us to be able to prevent crime from continuing to happen, including threats and risks that are associated with those that are in our facilities, we have to act and…promptly,” the National Commissioner added.

He emphasised that the department remains “open to engage” with the legal representatives of Matlala who reportedly complained about the quality of consultations.

Engagements with the National Prosecuting Authority and the courts on how to “work together to ensure that…he makes it to court on time” are also on the cards.

“That obligation we have been able to meet. He was able to consult with his lawyers. The primary objective is for us to ensure that at the end of the day, he is still available to appear in court.”

He added that the department was exercising its responsibility as a security department. – SAnews.gov.za

 

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Petrol and diesel prices will drop between 50c and 65c from this Wednesday, the Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources (DMPR) has announced.

Paraffin will also decrease, while LP Gas consumers will see increases.

The following price adjustments will apply from Wednesday:

• Petrol 93 (ULP and LRP): 65c decrease.
• Petrol 95 (ULP and LRP): 65c decrease.
• Diesel (0.05% sulphur): 50c decrease.
• Diesel (0.005% sulphur): 57c decrease.
• Illuminating Paraffin (wholesale): 53c decrease.
• Single Maximum National Retail Price for Illuminating Paraffin: 70c decrease.
• Maximum Retail Price of LP Gas: 31c increase (with a 36c increase in the Western Cape).

“The average international product prices decreased due to availability of inventories, despite increase in crude oil prices. These factors led to lower contributions to the Basic Fuel Prices of petrol, diesel and illuminating paraffin by 36c/l [cents per litre], 24.59 c/l and 21.13 c/l respectively.

“The prices of Propane and Butane increased during the period under review due to the cold weather in the Northern Hemisphere and tighter global supply,” the DMPR said.

The Rand also strengthened against the US Dollar (USD), gaining ground from R16.85 to 16.31 Rand per USD during the period under review.

“This led to lower contributions to the Basic Fuel Prices of petrol, diesel and Illuminating Paraffin by 28.52 c/l, 31.62 c/l and 31.86 c/l respectively,” the department explained. – SAnews.gov.za

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A disciplinary hearing into the conduct of Government Pensions Administration Agency (GPAA) Chief Executive Officer Kedibone Madiehe has commenced today.

Madiehe was placed on precautionary suspension in August following allegations of what the finance department described at the time as “serious misconduct concerning high-value procurement transactions”.

Now, the department said forensic investigations into allegations of “governance irregularities and financial misconduct” within the GPAA have been concluded.

“Madiehe has been formally furnished with the investigative findings and the related charges that will form the basis of the proceedings.

“The public and other stakeholders are advised that the proceedings are being conducted in strict accordance with South African labour laws and established internal protocols.

“To safeguard the legal integrity of the hearings and to ensure that the rights of the suspended CEO are not unduly prejudiced, the specific terms of reference or the full investigative reports will not be published at this stage,” National Treasury explained.

Madiehe was placed on suspension by Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana in line with the President’s Minute No 191 of 2025 and the applicable Disciplinary Code for Senior Management Services.

“The Ministry and the GPAA leadership remain committed to transparency and the restoration of ethical governance.

“The primary focus of this process is to ensure full accountability and to restore confidence in the governance of the agency,” the department concluded. – SAnews.gov.za

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The Minister in the Presidency responsible for Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities, Sindisiwe Chikunga, has warned young people against substance abuse, cautioning that it threatens their health, safety, education and long-term contribution to South Africa’s socio-economic development.

Chikunga said substance abuse remains one of the most serious challenges confronting South Africa’s youth, contributing to school dropouts, unemployment, crime, mental health challenges, and gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF).

She emphasised that young people are among the most vulnerable groups, as they are increasingly susceptible to dependence on alcohol and drugs, particularly in communities affected by poverty, unemployment, inequality, and limited access to recreational and economic opportunities.

“This often results in a range of problems, including academic difficulties, health-related problems such as mental health illnesses, poor peer relationships, conflict with the law, and a high rate of accidents. These problems also harm family members, communities, and the entire society.

“Substance abuse robs young people of their potential and undermines the future of our country. It fuels violence, weakens families, destroys communities, and places enormous pressure on social services,” the Minister said.

As part of government’s response, the Department of Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities will continue working with the Central Drug Authority, Department of Social Development, Department of Health, law enforcement agencies, and civil society organisations to strengthen prevention programmes, awareness campaigns, and psychosocial support services.

“We cannot speak about youth development without addressing the devastating role that drugs and alcohol play in perpetuating abuse, crime, and hopelessness. Prevention must start early, and it must involve individual youth, their families, schools, faith-based organisations and communities,” the Minister said.

She called on young people to make informed and responsible choices; seek help when facing substance-dependency challenges, and participate actively in positive initiatives that reduce risky behaviour and promote healthy living.

“Our youth must understand that saying no to drugs is saying yes to life, dignity, and opportunity. We urge young people to become champions of change and to protect themselves and their peers by resisting the temptations of abusing dependency creating substances,” Chikunga said.

The department reaffirmed its commitment to advancing youth empowerment, social cohesion and community safety in line with the National Development Plan, the National Youth Policy and the National Drug Master Plan. – SAnews.gov.za

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The Department of Correctional Services (DCS) is expected to institute disciplinary proceedings against senior managers and officials implicated in several – but unrelated – incidents at correctional facilities.

This was announced by DCS National Commissioner Makgothi Thobakgale during a media briefing in Pretoria on Monday.

Last year, several incidents, including an erroneous inmate release, inmate deaths and attacks on officials, were recorded at correctional centres in the Western Cape, leading to internal investigations.

“These investigations were conducted in terms of the Correctional Services Act, 111 of 1998, with the objectives of establishing facts, determining accountability, restoring public confidence and ensuring appropriate corrective and disciplinary action.

“These matters have been made public because they directly affect public safety, human rights, staff security and the integrity of the correctional system. Transparency is essential to maintaining public trust and demonstrating accountability.

“The department will institute disciplinary proceedings against implicated senior managers and officials, address systemic weaknesses, and ensure that correctional centres are managed in a lawful, ethical and professional manner,” the National Commissioner said.

Thobakgale revealed findings of investigations related to:

• The Oudtshoorn Correctional Centre.
• The erroneous release at the Pollsmoor Remand Detention Facility.
• The stabbing of officials and deaths of remand detainees at Pollsmoor.

“Given the spate of incidents and the prevailing instability in the Western Cape, I, as the National Commissioner, have recommended to the Minister that criminal and disciplinary matters be handled by an independent legal entity external to Correctional Services.

“The nature of these incidents, combined with the province’s high levels of crime and the alleged orchestration of criminal activity within our correctional centres, necessitates the implementation of extraordinary measures,” Thobakgale said.

Oudtshoorn Medium A Correctional Centre

At Oudtshoorn in August last year, a violent altercation left four officials with stab wounds and one inmate, Simphiwe Celise, dead during the execution of a routine search operation.

“The investigation established that offender Simphiwe Celise played a leading role in the attack on correctional officials. Celise subsequently died following physical altercations with officials and his death was classified as unnatural.

“The investigation also found that this situation could have been mitigated, had management anticipated the strong likelihood of retaliation, given the overt warning signs displayed by inmates on the previous day.

“It further established that management at both Area and Centre levels failed to exercise effective command and control of the operation. There was inadequate risk assessment, insufficient coordination of operational responses, and a lack of decisive leadership to stabilise the unit once the initial search had concluded,” Thobakgale noted.

Furthermore, serious failures were identified, including “non-compliance with use-of-force prescripts, unprocedural reporting and systemic breakdowns in oversight”.

“Disciplinary action will be instituted against implicated officials, managers and medical personnel, while [other] offenders involved in the stabbing will face disciplinary processes also,” Thobakgale said.

Pollsmoor Correctional Facility

In September last year, inmate Thembalethu Inganathi Daba was erroneously released under another detainee’s identity.

Daba posed as another inmate who was scheduled to appear in court, managed to bypass identification processes, misrepresented himself before the court and was subsequently released on a warning.

Thobakgale noted that the investigation into the incident found that “this was not an administrative error but a deliberate escape facilitated by impersonation and operational failures”.

“The incident was detected only during a routine roll call. He was re-arrested 12 days later. 

“The investigation identified failures in inmate supervision, advance availability of court lists and management oversight, including the functionality of biometric systems. Criminal and disciplinary processes are underway, alongside corrective measures to prevent recurrence,” the National Commissioner said.

At least a month later (October) at the same facility, two correctional officials were attacked and stabbed by at least three detainees.

The attack on the officials, who called for backup, led to the subsequent deaths of the remand detainees.

Thobakgale noted that the incident followed an “unauthorised departure of several officials from the unit, resulting in a serious breach of security controls”.

“The investigation established that the three inmates… initiated an attack on the two officials, who acted in self-defence. 

“However, it further found that some of the officials, who responded to the incident, applied force outside the prescripts. The investigation also identified significant shortcomings in risk assessment processes, gang management protocols and the supervision of inmates.

“Disciplinary action is being instituted against implicated officials, as well as supervisory and security management for dereliction of duty. Corrective measures include reclassification of inmates, strengthened gang management and tighter controls on inmate labour,” he said. – SAnews.gov.za

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Department of Correctional Services (DCS) officials conducted 5 592 search operations at correctional centres nationwide during the festive season– yielding the seizure of some 8 063 cellphones and R102 726.07 in cash.

This according to DCS National Commissioner, Makgothi Thobakgale, who briefed the media on the outcomes of the department’s Operation Vala festive season security operations.

Other confiscations include:

• 3 144 sharpened objects.
• 46kg of loose dagga.
• Significant quantities of Mandrax tablets.
• Small quantities of foreign currency as well as R400 in counterfeit South African notes.

Thobakgale noted that last year’s operation was implemented with “renewed approach aimed at increasing impact, effectiveness and accountability”.

“As a result, the 2025/26 Operation Vala represented a decisive shift in intensity, coordination and management oversight. For the first time, the operation was assertively driven at Management Area level, supported by heightened senior management involvement and the expanded deployment of officials.

“This decentralised but coordinated approach enabled more frequent, intelligence-driven and comprehensive searches, significantly strengthening operational outcomes across the system.

“Notably, while the Western Cape conducted the highest number of searches, it yielded relatively low cash recoveries compared to regions such as the Eastern Cape. This disparity highlights differing patterns of illicit activity, including cashless illegal operations and reinforces the importance of intelligence-driven searches,” he said.

No offender escapes were recorded during the Operation Vala period.

“The Department is encouraged by these outcomes, which demonstrate an enhanced institutional capacity to intercept and remove illicit items that threaten safety, security and stability within correctional centres,” he added.

Thobakgale revealed that Operation Vala cumulatively involved 59 310 correctional officials with the operation implemented under “conditions of significant systemic strain”.

“During the festive season, the inmate population exceeded 170 739, far surpassing the Department’s approved bed capacity of approximately 107 067.

“This level of incarceration represents the highest population recorded in recent years, and has placed immense pressure on infrastructure, staffing, security management and budget, compounded by reduced court activity during the period,” he said.

However, the department emphasised its commitment to sustained security in its facilities beyond the festive season.

“Although Operation Vala officially concluded in the month January 2026, the department has not relaxed its security posture.

“The operation has demonstrated improved capability at Management Area level, and this capacity is being maintained and strengthened as part of ongoing, year-round security operations aimed at creating safer, contraband-free correctional environments,” Thobakgale said. – SAnews.gov.za

 

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