By REGINALD KANYANE
29 October 2025- The Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Correctional Services, Kgomotso Anthea Ramolobeng, today undertook an unannounced visit to Goodwood Correctional Centre to follow up on concerns raised to the committee. Ramolobeng was accompanied by committee member, Janho Engelbrecht during the visit to the hospital section, firearms and ammunitions, and the cell where an inmate was housed who died recently of “natural” causes.
She said there was also the incident in which an inmate died after being beaten by officials and the committee wanted a better understanding of the incident. During the visit, Ramolobeng heard from inmates an account of the night in which the inmate was taken ill and then later died.
“It came to light that three other inmates have fallen ill with stomach-related conditions since this inmate succumbed. The committee had received information prior to the visit regarding the attempted suicide of an official, who allegedly signed out a firearm from the stores at the facility.
“During examination of the register, the individual’s signature does not appear to be the same, which raises questions about the entries in log. This is in line with information the committee received that the firearm was not lawfully signed out by the official,” said Ramolobeng.
She further said this obviously raises red flags about the truthfulness of the information before them. Ramolobeng added that the intel they received is that the firearm use was not authorised or registered.
“This is definitely a matter that needs further investigation. Furthermore, we were informed that the inmate died of ‘natural’ causes, yet when we got to the medical section of the centre, we were told they are still awaiting the outcome of the autopsy.
“So, clearly it does not add up. We will need to engage the Department on these discrepancies. It does not paint a good picture,” she said.
The Guardian 