Since the implementation of a new meal plan due to cost-cutting measures, inmates in South Africa's prisons have complained of hunger and poor quality food. The “crisis” also extends to animals, with the NSPCA decrying a shortage of fodder.
The department of correctional services introduced a new meal plan this year, with a 12-day cycle menu designed to ensure the dietary needs of inmates are met.
Department spokesperson Singabakho Nxumalo said the revised plan was developed along with a nutrition expert and includes a balanced mix of proteins, carbohydrates, fruits and vegetables.
This is to save more than R200m per year which would be redirected to self-sufficiency and sustainability projects for inmates to continue producing their own food, manufacture furniture and uniforms and engage in other trades.
According to the menu, the daily protein served is alternated each day, with either 184-gram of pork, 70 grams of beans, two eggs, beef, chicken, fish and giblets served once on different days.
But according to inmates, the plan has not been implemented. Instead, the protein options they have been receiving are watery soya beans and boiled eggs, while the carbohydrates served include pap or dry bread.
An inmate at the Johannesburg Female Prison who spoke to TimesLIVE Premium anonymously said on January 28, the kitchen staff announced the new meal plan which was not served according to the stated rota. Instead, they were given very small rations and the supply of sugar completely stopped.
“On Friday, we were supposed to have beans for lunch. But it’s more watery than anything else and has about four beans in the sauce. It is served with pap.
“For supper we were given four slices of bread with margarine.”
“I’ve been here for 11 years and we used to get two spoons of sugar every morning. Now we don’t get sugar at all. The sugar sold at the in-house tuck shop is very expensive,” she said. Inmates pay R60 for 2kg of sugar.
The men at the Johannesburg Prison are fed four slices of bread for breakfast, without margarine, and a black cup of coffee or tea.
During another meal earlier this month, inmates were served pap and a single boiled egg for lunch, which they say was also served for supper.
Those at the Upington Correctional Centre complained about the supply of fruit, as set out in the new meal plan.
“There was even a time where ... one box of apples was thrown away just for standing for a long time and not given to the sick offenders. Now there are people collecting food for pigs,” said an Upington prison inmate who wished to remain anonymous.
To assist in supplementing food supply to prisoners, there are 21 farms in different correctional facilities where inmates grow vegetables and farm livestock to produce their own food. In addition, there are 115 small gardens and nine bakeries at various prisons across the country.
The NSPCA reported last week that animals including pigs, dairy cattle, poultry and even the dogs in the prison’s canine unit are receiving “insufficient and inappropriate feed, which is being rationed due to budget cuts".
The welfare agency called for the minister's intervention and urged correctional services to cull more animals if the budget did not stretch to adequate species-specific fodder.
“Currently, for example, Baviaanspoort Correctional Centre [in Pretoria] houses approximately 1,500 pigs, yet their plan is to slaughter only 60 pigs per day. A simple solution exists: the department must immediately reduce its livestock numbers in accordance with the available feed supply," the NSPCA said.
Nxumalo told TimesLIVE Premium that the farms produce different items which were shared with other centres.
“For example, pork from Baviaanspoort could be shared with Kgosi Mampuru II as they do not have a piggery. Instead of buying [pork] from the shops, we utilise our own resources and produce.”
He said budget cuts did not mean the animals were neglected. Instead, budget adjustments had to be implemented while ensuring critical operations remain functional.
Prisoner rights activist from the South African Prisoners Organisation for Human Rights Golden Miles Bhudu said food in prisons started deteriorating once the department terminated a catering contract with scandal-ridden Bosasa in 2019.
“Since Bosasa left, the nutrition took a nose dive. There are one or two prisons where there the management is sensitive and take their jobs seriously and try their level best,” he said.
In a plea for help, inmates have sent letters to authorities for an immediate investigation into what they call a violation of their constitutional rights.
The Johannesburg female prison’s inmate told TimesLIVE Premium that she sent a letter to the Judicial Inspectorate for Correctional Services last week, which has not yet responded.
“The truth of the matter is that beans are now a staple food ever since January 2025 with a shortage of bread on a daily basis. I respectfully request that your office investigate this matter and take the necessary action to ensure compliance with the relevant laws,” the letter said.
At the Westville Medium A remand detention centre, awaiting-trial inmates who call themselves “Concerned Awaiting Trial Prisoners” sent a memorandum to the high court last month to complain about the supply of rotten and spoiled food.
The group said the food crisis led to some inmates defaulting on taking their chronic medication due to the unhygienic food, which further worsened their health.
“The department of correctional services has a constitutional obligation to ensure that prisoners receive adequate food, medical care and humane treatment,” said the memorandum.
But Nxumalo said the reports of a food shortage or unavailability of essential meal items were untrue.
“These claims are misleading and do not reflect the reality within our correctional facilities. We continue to uphold our mandate of providing humane and dignified care to all inmates, while ensuring that their dietary needs are met.”
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