generation prisons
16 March 2006
Department of Correctional Services wishes to dismiss as âquite incorrect
and sensationalâ the reports that the construction programme of its New
Generation Correctional Centres (NGCC) has collapsed.
The Department wishes to reiterate its acknowledgment to various
institutions of government of the delays experienced in the construction of
four new centres that are suitable for effective rehabilitation and correction
of offending behaviour. Some of causal factors are actually beyond the control
of the Department of Correctional Services.
The construction was planned in 2005 and was due for completion only after
two years in Kimberley, Nigel, Klerksdorp and Leeukop with bulk earth works
already done in all sites but Klerksdorp. However, the following factors led to
the undesirable delays and the unfortunate resultant cost escalation:
* Building industry market responses to calls for tenders proved beyond the
available budget for starting with all four centres last year; and
* Environmental impact assessment on Leeukop construction is not finalised.
The issue of ensuring the utilisation of the Departmentâs capital budget for
other priority infrastructure projects such as the installation of the
state-ofâthe-art security fencing in 66 correctional centres was discussed and
agreed to with responsible national departments before implementation.
Regarding the second group of four new generation correctional centres, the
strategic plan of the Department submitted to the Portfolio Committee in Cape
Town says the construction is expected to commence in the financial year
2008/09 and to be completed in 2010/11. The building of these facilities will
be handled in a staggered way in order to avoid clogging the currently over
demanded building industry and to ensure value for money.
A lot of progress has been made with regard to the environmental impact
assessment, the feasibility study and site clearance in Paarl, Port Shepstone
and East London with negotiations currently underway with municipalities for
service level agreements. For the Limpopo site, a process of identifying a
suitable public site is underway. A procurement model for the new facilities
has been decided by the leadership of the Department and an official
announcement to the general public will be made in due course. It needs to be
emphasised that a minimum period for construction of conventional correctional
centre is two years and therefore no construction could be completed in nine
months as reflected in the inaccurate earlier reports.
Enquiries:
Manelisi Wolela
Deputy Commissioner â Communications
Cell: 083 626 0304
Issued by: Department of Correctional Services
16 March 2006
