The national commissioner of the Department of Correctional Services (DCS), Mr Makgothi Thobakgale, visited the Kutama/Sinthumule Correctional Facility on 4 July to assess the progress of building repairs.
Parts of the maximum-security prison were damaged by a fire on 7 August 2023. Three prisoners died, and 18 were injured in the fire, which destroyed some sections of the prison. The fire was allegedly started by inmates who were demanding to be transferred to other prisons. They had also previously complained about being mistreated by wardens.
During his visit, the commissioner also monitored the progress related to the re-admission of inmates who were temporarily transferred to various correctional facilities while repairs at the Kutama/Sinthumule Correctional Facility were being carried out.
Thobakgale confirmed that the Kutama/Sinthumule Correctional Centre would be fully operational by the end of this month (July). He said work on the two blocks had been completed and 1,872 inmates had been transferred back to these blocks. Work on one block section, which accommodates 1,152 inmates, is expected to be completed later this month.
He added that a report on the investigation into the cause of the fire would be released by the end of the month. Thobakgale also stated that criminal cases had been opened against the inmates accused of being involved in the fire.
"Now, when we look at the safety features, the repair process has given us the opportunity to renew the systems. You would remember the facility was almost burnt down to zero functionality. So, it means now we have to install new components in the electronic systems. I can stand here and say we are now looking at an improved correctional facility," he said.