Note to Broadcasters: Please find attached voice note in English by Freddy Sonakile, and in Afrikaans by Jeanne Adriaanse.
- DA escalates Rooigrond oversight dispute directly to the National Commissioner for urgent intervention.
- Oversight is not a permission request: security protocols must not be used to frustrate legitimate scrutiny.
- We demand answers and accountability following the recent escape and ongoing lockdown at Rooigrond Maximum Security Correctional Centre.
The Democratic Alliance (DA) has written to the National Commissioner of Correctional Services, Mr Makgothi Thobakgale, demanding urgent clarity and intervention after an announced oversight visit to Rooigrond Maximum Security Correctional Centre was effectively blocked by the Area Commissioner.
We formally notified the Department on 15 September of our intention to conduct an oversight visit to Rooigrond on Monday, 21 September, at 10:00.
The visit follows the recent escape of an offender from Rooigrond Maximum Security Correctional Centre and was intended to assess security systems, infrastructure, maintenance, staffing, operational capacity, conditions and management controls at the facility.
However, the response we received from the Area Commissioner, Mr Nduduzo Buthelezi, states that Rooigrond is currently on lockdown due to the ongoing investigation into the escape and that the Head of Centre “will not be able to host” our delegation on the requested date. We were further advised that future requests should be directed to the InterGovernmental Relations Office at Head Office in Pretoria.
We have escalated the matter because an oversight notification should not simply be treated as a request for permission to visit.
The purpose of providing advance notice was to allow the Department to make the necessary security and access arrangements. We fully recognise that the facility is under lockdown and that legitimate security measures must be respected. However, if specific restrictions prevent access, the Department must clearly explain those restrictions and indicate how legitimate oversight can be facilitated.
It is particularly concerning that the stated reason for preventing the visit is that the Head of Centre will not be able to “host” the delegation.
Oversight is not a social visit that depends on the availability of a facility manager. It is a constitutional accountability function.
The timing of this matter is significant. A security breach at a maximum-security correctional facility is precisely the kind of incident that warrants scrutiny by elected representatives.
We will continue to respect all legitimate security protocols and will not interfere with the Department’s investigation. However, security protocols cannot become a blanket excuse for avoiding accountability.
We expect Mr. Thobakgale to provide urgent clarity and ensure that appropriate arrangements are made for legitimate oversight of Rooigrond Correctional Centre.