(a) What steps have been taken to address the huge volume of staff shortages from the previous financial year and (b) how does such shortages impact on service delivery and/or safety within the facilities of his department?
Official source
Source domain: pmg.org.za
Collected on 17 June 2026
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Read out of this document by Govermate's AI, in its own words. Each one quotes the line it came from — confirm on the official source before acting.
Collaboration with the Department of Health to place Community Service Psychologists and Pharmacists
The Department collaborates with the Department of Health to place qualified Psychologists and Pharmacists for Community Service in its facilities.
- Who it is for
- qualified Psychologists and Pharmacists doing Community Service
- How to act on it
- Be placed into Department of Correctional Services facilities through the collaboration with the Department of Health for Community Service.
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In addition, DCS is collaborating with the Department of Health to place qualified Psychologists and Pharmacists for Community Service in our facilities.
Correctional Services Learnership Programme (entry-level correctional officials pipeline)
The Department is recruiting and training entry-level correctional officials through the Correctional Services Learnership Programme from 2025 through 2030, enrolling learners in 2025/26 and aiming to build a pipeline of 12,500 entry-level correctional officers by 2030, with learners absorbed into funded security and rehabilitation vacancies after successful completion.
- Who it is for
- prospective entry-level correctional officials/learners
- How to act on it
- Apply to be enrolled in the Correctional Services Learnership Programme; successful completion leads to absorption into funded vacancies.
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The Department has begun large-scale recruitment drives, including plans to recruit and train entry-level correctional officials through the Correctional Services Learnership Programme from 2025 right through 2030.
Recruitment and filling of advertised posts (including scarce and critical skills)
The Department advertises vacant posts and fills them, prioritising scarce and critical skills essential to its mandate, including fast-tracking recruitment for professionals and key management posts.
- Who it is for
- people seeking employment in scarce/critical skills and key management roles within the Department of Correctional Services
- How to act on it
- Follow the Department’s advertised recruitment of vacant posts as they become vacant.
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Therefore, the Department is constantly advertising vacant posts as they become vacant.
E-recruitment system to reduce hiring turnaround time
The Department intends to fully implement an e-recruitment system to reduce the average 4-6 month hiring turnaround time, which is meant to remove a barrier to attracting top talent.
- Who it is for
- job applicants and candidates for Department recruitment
- How to act on it
- Use the Department’s e-recruitment system once implemented for recruitment processes.
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The department will fully implement an e-recruitment system to reduce the average 4-6 month hiring turnaround time, which is a significant barrier to attracting top talent.
Targeted recruitment for scarce skills (pilot)
The Department intends to pilot targeted recruitment for scarce skills in compliance with DPSA prescripts.
- Who it is for
- candidates for scarce skills roles within the Department of Correctional Services
- How to act on it
- Participate in the targeted recruitment pilot for scarce skills when it is run in compliance with DPSA prescripts.
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The department intends to pilot targeted recruitment for scarce skills. This will be done in compliance with DPSA prescripts.
Facts
Reference
https://pmg.org.za/committee-question/36806/
Key Takeaways
- question NW1806 to Minister of Correctional Services
- Learnership Programme 2025-2030
- 2 543 learners enrolled in 2025/26
- target: 12,500 entry-level correctional officers by 2030
- 1,187 posts advertised; 505 filled
- e-recruitment system implementation
- proactive workforce planning
- vacancy rate target below 10%
- priority on critical posts: medical doctors, psychologists, social workers, engineers, OHS, criminology, Heads of Centre, SMS posts
Dates
Opening Date
8 April 2026