We are now at a critical phase of finalising the assessment and mop-up operations after the a fire gutted this facility. The specialists are working against the clock in quantifying the costs related to the damage and they will also calculate the timelines in terms of getting the facility back into full operation. This is the responsibility of the operator, South African Custodial Management.

Before the fire incident the facility had a maximum bed capacity of 3,024 for inmates classified as high risk. Consequently, the facility was forced to transfer its inmates to other correctional facilities.

Presently, the centre houses is 588 inmates. A total of 170 are due to be transferred by 18 August 2023 to other facilities in the country. The facility will be left with 418 inmates.

Unfortunately the number of fatalities has increased by 3 the causes are not related to this incident and the number of injuries as a result of this incident is 18.
 
As of 17 August 2023, 2436 inmates have been transferred to various centres across the country. Invariably, we have seen a sharp increase in the rates of overcrowding in those facilities.
For example the maximum facility in

Makhado Correctional Centre has moved up from 219,67 per cent to 235, 41 per cent

Polokwane Correctional Centre has increased from 218, 25 per cent to 236, 11 per cent

Rooigrond Correctional Centre has shot up from 147, 91 per cent to 171, 32 per cent

Update on Special Remission Process

We are also able to provide an update on the number of people who have been released from our centres thus far along the categories approved by the President Ramaphosa through the special remission.

Sentenced Male And Female Released Per Age Categories From 11 – 15 August 2023

Description:    Children(Less than 18 years)
Males:    18    
Females:   0    
Total: 18

Description:    Youth (18 – 25 years)
Males:    574    
Females:   40    
Total: 614
Description:    Adult (26 -64 years)    
Males:    1541    
Females:   335    
Total: 1876

Description:    Elderly (65 & older)    
Males:    16    
Females:   2    
​​​​​​​Total: 18

Description:    Disabled    
Males:    7    
Females:   0    
​​​​​​​Total: 7

Description:    Total    
Males:    2156    
Females:   377    
​​​​​​​Total: 2533

We are equally encouraged by this progress made at various centres, this will ensure that there is enough bedspace to accommodate the offenders from this maximum facility in other centres.