Deputy Speaker, we have received reports about three inmates who were lost and died in the Eastern Cape, due to unnatural causes, and five in KwaZulu-Natal. I must say that, of the three, one case was concluded in the Eastern Cape. Its investigation was concluded. In KwaZulu-Natal, only three cases were investigated and concluded.
In August, we appeared before the portfolio committee to inform the committee that a death had occurred at the Kokstad maximum security facility. We visited the facility, and we gave a directive to the acting national commissioner to investigate this particular case. We are particularly interested because of the kind of facility it is, which is a maximum facility, catering for very dangerous offenders.
The team began its work on 18 August, and we have since received a report on 9 October. We must point out that the draft report points to acts of criminality on the side of members. It is recommending disciplinary action for some and, for others, the laying of criminal charges with the South African Police Service.
We are currently interacting with the office of the inspecting judge to make sure that the rest of the cases that have not been reported to them or concluded, be concluded as soon as possible. Thank you.
Deputy Speaker, Madam Minister, thank you very much for your response. I think we are pleased that something is being done, reason being, Minister, that the mission of your department talks to human rights and the security of inmates; and with these deaths as a result of officials, there was a danger that you would lose that. Not so long ago, three officials were convicted in Krugersdorp, so the committee, certainly the ANC component of the committee, was beginning to get concerned that, unless this is arrested, there would be problems of the environment moving from one of security and human rights to one of lawlessness. So, in terms of what you've explained to us, we are more than happy that something is being done, and it is being addressed. Thank you.
Deputy Speaker, hon member, I think that with the incident in Kokstad, in particular, we have learned, as a department, that it is always better for us to be the ones who take, or seize, the initiative and direct the department to investigate, without undermining the work that is being done by the inspecting judge. In that way, you are able to set timeframes for the investigators and you are able to raise issues if you identify any gaps in the report.
I am happy, for instance, with this investigation and the outcome of the Kokstad report, because I believe that a lot of work was done, very objective outcomes are reflected in the report, and that we are acting on this matter. We will be reporting those who should be reported to the police so that they can be charged and, for those who are going for the disciplinary process, the process has already begun.
Deputy Speaker, Minister, we would also just like to know what other steps are being put in place by the Minister to stop and curtail the occurrence of assaults that lead to deaths in prison and whether the inspecting judge has the appropriate capacity to deal with deaths in prisons in South Africa.
Deputy Speaker, hon Fritz, to be honest, this is a very difficult matter. It is a very sensitive matter in that there is a human rights issue here, which has been violated on a number of occasions by our own members. Actually, in most cases, and this is what we found out from the last investigation, it is because we need to look at the circumstances leading to the death of the inmate.
We find that in most cases, in fact, it is a matter of officials reacting to assaults by inmates on them. Unfortunately, the manner in which they then react, which goes back to the definition of maximum force, has, in a sense, led to deaths in some of these cases. We find that, unless we deal with the whole matter of gangs in our centres, we are not going to be able to avoid, when we should not even be having, these kinds of unnatural deaths.
Indeed, if you have a gang culture, for instance, in the case of Kokstad, where people simply took a decision that the centre was not properly opened, we need to take steps in order for it to have been properly opened. Obviously, the reaction of the members is that, in defend themselves by applying maximum force, this maximum force has unfortunately led to these kinds of incidents. Thank you.
Steps taken by department to assist South African farmers in Zimbabwe
158. Mr K S Mubu (DA) asked the Minister of International Relations and Co- operation:
What steps are her department taking to (a) assist South African farmers in Zimbabwe whose farms have been taken over by ZANU-PF officials to recover their farms, (b) ensure that the farmers receive fair compensation for their lost properties and (c) ensure their personal safety and security and that of their families?