JOHANNESBURG - The Department of Correctional Services (DCS) says suspended KwaZulu-Natal Prison Commissioner Mnikelwa Nxele is attempting to divert attention from his disciplinary process.
According to DCS spokesperson Singabakho Nxumalo, Nxele is portraying the process as an attack on a whistleblower.
Nxele has accused National Commissioner Makgothi Thobakgale of colluding with service providers to defraud the department.
Nxumalo says the department centralised all food supply contracts after identifying inconsistencies across the prison system, where regions previously handled their own procurement.
Some of these processes relied on quotation systems rather than formalised contracts.
"We were not complying with Treasury regulations as we need to have contracts, especially as the services are on a continuous basis," says Nxumalo.
"We had a fragmented procurement process where regions would procure for themselves on no long-term contracts," he adds.
READ: Suspended KZN prison boss claims whistleblower backlash
In the 2022/2023 financial year, DCS recorded irregular expenditure of R36.9-million. This increased to R194.7-million in the 2023/2024 financial year.
Since then, the department has taken steps to curb irregular spending. Under the new centralised system, 155 new service providers have been appointed.
Nxumalo says the changes have affected some suppliers who previously held short-term regional contracts.
"We couldn't sit back, hence we centralised the contracts," he says.
He added that the new system was implemented in April and will be reviewed every six months.
Nxele claims he exposed the department’s overspending. However, Nxumalo disputes this, saying the department itself disclosed the information to Parliament as part of its reform efforts.
This has been confirmed by the Portfolio Committee on Correctional Services Chairperson, Bridget Masango.
Nxumalo described Nxele’s allegations as “reckless, malicious and unsupported by evidence,” adding that they are a calculated attempt to deflect from the charges against him.
He said Nxele is trying to frame his disciplinary process as a personal attack by Thobakgale.