South Africa's correctional system is at a crossroads, grappling with severe overcrowding, budget pressures, and controversial proposals to address both, Cape town Etc reports.
Correctional Services Minister Pieter Groenewald has called for deporting foreign inmates, a move that could save taxpayers R11 million per day, while reigniting debate over corporal punishment as an alternative to imprisonment.
As TimesLIVE and African Insider reported, the proposals, revealed during a parliamentary budget vote, come as the country's prisons operate at 46 over capacity , with 24 000 foreign nationals accounting for a significant portion of inmates. Meanwhile, the department faces scrutiny over rising costs, including paying R22.95 per loaf for prisoner bread, more than retail prices.
The R11 million daily burden: Push to deport foreign inmatesGroenewald disclosed that housing foreign prisoners costs South Africa R463 per inmate daily, totalling R11.112 million per day. With 12 676 sentenced foreigners 12.4 of the prison population as of January 2025, the minister argued deportation would ease fiscal strain.
The South African taxpayer foots this bill, Groenewald said, adding that diplomatic solutions are being explored. ActionSA MP Dereleen James backed the call, noting the funds could instead buy 555 600 loaves of bread, which is enough to feed 277 800 households.