The Portfolio Committee on Correctional Services has been informed that of the initial 27 correctional facilities that would have been fenced, and have security features added (to them) by the Independent Development Trust (IDT) project, only 15 could be funded within the allocated budget.
This has prompted the Committee to be concerned about the poor planning and project management. The Committee has however accepted the explanation by the IDT that the initial allocated amount by the Department of Correctional Services of R467 million was prior to in-depth planning on what the facilities would require. After such an assessment was done by the IDT, a request was made to National Treasury for more funds but as no further funds were granted, only 15 facilities could be upgraded.
The Committee has further taken note that six years ago a similar project for fencing and access control was undertaken and due to lack of maintenance, some of these had to be replaced. Committee Chairperson, Mr Vincent Smith, expressed concerns about the lack of maintenance that led to the replacement of fencing and equipment. He however commended the IDT for indicating early in the planning stages that only 15 facilities could be upgraded to the required level with the available funds.
Mr Smith cautioned the IDT, the Department of Correctional Services and the Department of Public Works that the Committee would not authorise “a single cent” more for this project and that the work must be done in the allocated budget and without any further variances from the original specifications.
Enquiries:
Rajaa Azzakani (Ms)
Parliamentary Communication Services
Tel: 021 403 8437
Cell: 082 560 9610
E-mail: razzakani@parliament.gov.za
