Media Statement: Correctional Services Committee Calls for Stronger Financial Controls and Accountability at Jics

Parliament, Wednesday, 7 October 2026 - The Portfolio Committee on Correctional Services yesterday called for strengthened financial management, procurement controls, institutional capacity and accountability at the Judicial Inspectorate for Correctional Services (JICS), following a briefing by the institution on its 2025/26 Annual Performance Report.

The committee yesterday also received a briefing from the Auditor-General of South Africa (AGSA) on the Budgetary Review and Recommendations Report (BRRR) and annual audit outcomes for the Department of Correctional Services (DCS) and the JICS on its 2025/26 Annual Report.

Presenting the portfolio audit outcomes, AGSA reported that the DCS received a disclaimer of audit opinion due to systemic record-keeping failures and falsified or altered supporting documentation that compromised management integrity. The committee will meet with the DCS next week to engage on this.

In contrast, the AGSA reported that JICS attained an unqualified audit opinion with findings concerning procurement compliance and performance indicator measurability. The committee welcomed the AGSA's recommendations for both DCS and JICS, as part of oversight and strengthening controls.

JICS recorded R6.3 million in irregular expenditure during the year under review. Committee Chairperson Ms Kgomotso Anthea Ramolobeng said the committee directed the accounting officer to provide a detailed breakdown of this expenditure, including the travel tender and four requests for quotations. The report must identify the officials and processes involved, specific control failures and the financial implications.

She said the committee further requires a written consequence-management report indicating which matters have been investigated, disciplinary processes instituted and whether officials have been found liable. It cautioned that irregular expenditure must not become a recurring feature of JICS's financial management and called for measures that shift the emphasis from detecting irregular expenditure after the fact to preventing it.

"The committee is concerned over significant travel expenditure and directed JICS to account for the main cost drivers, including the purpose and operational necessity of travel. JICS must submit a revised travel management plan demonstrating that expenditure is directly linked to its statutory oversight mandate," emphasised Ms Ramolobeng.

The committee further noted that JICS did not meet its target for paying suppliers within 30 days. The committee therefore requires a detailed corrective plan and quarterly analysis of outstanding invoices to determine whether JICS has sufficient capacity to comply with the Public Finance Management Act.

On procurement, JICS must submit a detailed corrective-action plan responding to the AGSA findings, particularly regarding quotations, evaluation criteria and supporting documentation. The committee said the plan must include corrective measures, implementation dates and regular progress reports until the identified weaknesses are resolved.

The committee expressed concern about critical vacancies and institutional capacity, particularly the continued vacancy of the Director: Inspections and Investigations post. JICS must provide the full cost of funding the post and explain whether resources can be reprioritised towards critical personnel capacity. It must also submit a complete schedule of funded and unfunded posts, identifying critical vacancies outstanding for more than six months.

The committee also noted that JICS underspent its budget by R9.2 million and stressed that persistent underspending, alongside claims of capacity constraints, requires closer scrutiny. "Budgeting must be aligned with performance targets, and JICS must demonstrate whether available resources can be better reprioritised," the Chairperson said.

The committee also indicated that weaknesses in the recording and investigation of deaths as a substantive oversight concern. JICS must provide quarterly reports on outstanding death-related cases, including the age of each case, reasons for delays, outstanding documentation, responsible office and expected resolution date.

By December 2026, JICS must furthermore submit a costed implementation plan for an electronic case management system covering complaints, investigations and deaths in custody, including funding requirements, procurement, milestones, responsibility, data security and interim safeguards for records.

"Finally, JICS must provide a corrective-action plan addressing every material misstatement identified by the AGSA, including the source of each error, responsible official, failed control and corrective measure.

The committee also called on the JICS to address the regression in employment equity, particularly the representation of women at senior management level and persons with disabilities, and to ensure that its 50% equity target is achieved and sustained.

The committee will continue to monitor implementation of these measures to ensure that JICS strengthens accountability, financial discipline and its capacity to fulfil its independent oversight mandate.

ISSUED BY THE PARLIAMENTARY COMMUNICATION SERVICES ON BEHALF OF THE CHAIRPERSON OF THE PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE ON CORRECTIONAL SERVICES, MS KGOMOTSO ANTHEA RAMOLOBENG.

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Name: Rajaa Azzakani (Ms)

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