Max prison to remain 'closed' until all damage is repaired

The national commissioner of the Department of Correctional Services, Makgothi Thobakgale, visited the Kutama Sinthumule Correctional Centre (KSCC) outside Louis Trichardt on Monday to inspect its state of readiness to re-admit prisoners after a violent riot earlier this year had left the centre severely damaged.

The prison had to be refurbished, following a devastating fire on 7 August, which broke out during the riot. Thobakgale’s inspection aimed to check the quality of workmanship regarding the damage caused by the fire to the kitchen, maintenance section, and the blue and green sections of the centre.

Three prisoners died during the riot, while another 18 were injured in the fire. The fire was purportedly started by inmates demanding to be transferred to other prisons. They had also complained previously about mistreatment by wardens. The prison housed 1,892 inmates, who were transferred to other prisons around South Africa after the fire and the subsequent refurbishment process.

The Kutama Sinthumule Correctional Centre operates as a government and private partnership (SACM), with the contract ending in 2026. Thobakgale mentioned that, after the contract expires, the government will take ownership of the prison. Regarding this, he remarked that he wanted the facility to look as good as it had done before. “We are here to inspect the repairs to the damage, but the work has not yet been completed. The programme that the contractor gave us indicated that by mid-November next year, they would have completed repairs to the yellow and blue facilities. As it stands, they are still working on those facilities. There is progress that has been reported, and that's why I'm here to inspect the extent of the progress,” said Thobakgale.

Thobakgale did not elaborate on what still needs to be done. However, he reiterated that when the work is completed, it must comply with industry standards. “It should be safe, functional, and perform at the level it was before the institution was burnt,” he said.

Following Thobakgale’s visit, the Department of Correctional Services said they could not specify when the facility would reopen, as a result of delays. “But what I am emphasising is that we have to ensure that we certify the work that has been done. There is mechanical work, electrical work, and structural work. So, all that has to be certified before the offenders can be brought back to the institution,” said Thobakgale.

Date:20 December 2023

By: Kaizer Nengovhela

Kaizer Nengovhela started writing stories for Limpopo Mirror in 2000. Prior to that he had a five year stint at Phala-Phala FM as sports presenter. In 2005 Kaizer received an award from the province's premier as Best Sports Presenter. The same year he was also nominated as Best Sports Reporter by the Makhado Municipality. Kaizer was awarded the Mathatha Tsedu award in 2014.

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