Corruption and mismanagement in South Africa prisons are to be probed by the Special Investigating Unit, Justice Minister Penuell Maduna said on Wednesday.
He told reporters he asked President Thabo Mbeki earlier in the week to issue a proclamation that would enable the SIU to undertake such an investigation.
”I will not be surprised to find the proclamation gazetted this week,” Maduna said in Pretoria.
He said the probe was expected to cost in the region of R20-million for the first year. It was not clear how long the investigation would take.
”All of us expect that they will have to work expeditiously.”
The Correctional Services Department was expected to provide the bulk of the money. If necessary, the Justice Department would also try to contribute.
Should there still be a shortfall, the Treasury would be approached for an allocation, Maduna said.
The minister was speaking on behalf of the cluster of justice, crime, prevention and security departments, reporting on the input they gave at last week’s Cabinet lekgotla.
A Correctional Services statement issued afterwards said the possibility of retaining some SIU investigators in prisons on a permanent basis was being examined.
It said the envisaged SIU probe was expected to investigate actions such as drug-trafficking and criminal activities committed with the help of prison officials.
Also to be probed was the actions of prisoners to corrupt officials, and the activities of crime syndicates in prisons.
Another likely focus would be the inability of managers to run the department and prisons effectively, and the activities of prison trade union members guilty of intimidation, violence and harassment.
The department said the Jali Commission’s first two interim reports were being handled internally. Parts thereof had been referred to prosecuting authorities for criminal investigation.
Correctional Services Minister Ben Skosana set up the commission last year to investigate corruption, maladministration, violence and intimidation in nine management areas.
The commission is currently hearing evidence on corruption in Grootvlei prison in Bloemfontein.
Departmental representative Themba Rubushe said the SIU would assist the commission where appropriate, but would focus on building watertight cases against offenders.
”Our own investigate capacity is very weak,” Rubushe said.
”This has in the past led to offenders getting away with their actions, fuelling further corruption.
”We hope that the SIU will also help to train our own investigators.”
Maduna said the appointment of the Jali Commission showed the government was aware of lawlessness in the country’s prisons.
”There is indeed rampant corruption… which we have acknowledged,” he said. – Sapa