Security crisis at Durban Westville Prison
The Public Servants Association (PSA) is concerned about the imminent security crisis unfolding at the Durban Westville Correctional Facility in KwaZulu-Natal, where a collapse in food services has created a volatile environment.
The PSA has received distressing reports from the union’s members, detailing a severe operational failure that, if not addressed immediately, could lead to riots in the facility. At the heart of the crisis is the complete dysfunction of the facility’s kitchen, which has rendered the institution unable to prepare meals on-site, said PSA spokesperson, Mlungisi Ndlovu.
“The steam system has failed, most electrical cooking pots are broken, and critical food-supply chains have been disrupted. These factors
have resulted in severe delays in meal preparation and distribution. The delivery of essential food items, including bread, has become erratic and unreliable. Frustrated inmates are now threatening correctional officers, raising serious concerns about the facility’s ability to maintain order and security,” said Mr Ndlovu.
He added that despite repeated attempts by correctional officers and inmates to engage management on these pressing issues, their concerns have been ignored, and no urgent action has been taken. This blatant negligence and failure to provide necessities have fuelled tensions, pushing the facility to the brink of a full-scale crisis that could spiral out of control, said Mr Ndlovu.
However, Singabakho Nxumalo, the spokesperson for the DCS, said the DCS recently reviewed its meal plan, a change that has not been welcomed by all. As a result, several unfounded allegations have been circulating.
“It is important to emphasise that correctional centres follow a well-established and closely monitored procedure for meal preparation. This includes strict guidelines on the storage and handling of both perishable and non-perishable food items to ensure safety and quality,” said Mr Nxumalo. “Despite this, misinformation is being deliberately spread in an attempt to pressure the department into reverting to the previous meal plan.”
He added that some individuals have gone so far as to falsely claim that the food being served is rotten. Mr Nxumalo said these allegations are entirely baseless and appear to be part of a coordinated effort to discredit the department. Such claims are primarily being echoed by offenders and certain members of the public who claim to advocate on their behalf, he said.
The PSA said the DCS remains resolute in its decision and stands by the measures taken to improve food management within correctional facilities.
“We remain fully transparent and welcome any legitimate observation of how meals are prepared and served,” said Mr Ndlovu. “This crisis at Durban Westville Correctional Facility is not an isolated incident and reflects broader systemic failures in the DCS. Chronic underfunding, mismanagement, poor maintenance of facilities, and bureaucratic inefficiencies are defining features of South Africa’s correctional system.”
The PSA say they have repeatedly warned against the deteriorating conditions in correctional facilities across the country, but these concerns have been ignored. The failure to provide inmates with basic nutrition and humane living conditions is a serious violation of human rights and a failure of governance, said Mr Ndlovu. If the DCS does not take immediate action, it will be responsible for the outbreak of violence and associated safety risks, he added.
The PSA condemns the gross mismanagement, incompetence, and failure of leadership that have resulted in this avoidable crisis. They also demanded immediate and decisive intervention, including urgent repairs to the prison’s kitchen facilities to ensure that on-site meal preparation resumes without further delay. Mr Ndlovu said food-supply chains must be stabilised immediately to prevent further shortages and ensure consistent delivery of essential food items.
“We also demands deployment of emergency security measures to protect correctional officers from escalating threats. We want direct intervention by the Minister of Correctional Services to provide
long-term solutions and prevent similar crises at other correctional facilities,” said Mr Ndlovu. “We will not allow the union’s members and inmates to suffer owing to administrative incompetence and neglect.”
Should the DCS fail to take swift corrective action, the PSA said they will escalate this matter to national leadership, legal authorities, and human rights organisations to hold those responsible accountable.
Mr Ndlovu added that government cannot continue to ignore the collapse of critical infrastructure in correctional facilities. He said urgent decisive action is required to prevent a disaster that could have far-reaching consequences for the entire correctional system.