WATCH: New bakery at Westville Prison a saving for taxpayers
The Minister of Correctional Services, Dr. Pieter Groenewald, says the bakery will amount to annual savings of more or less R3m per annum.
THE newly established bakery at the Department of Correctional Services’ (DCS) Durban Management Area, commonly known as Westville Prison, will be a saving for South African taxpayers.
This was stated by the DCS Minister Dr. Pieter Groenewald during the official opening of the bakery on Thursday, August 14.
The minister said the bakery can produce 3840 loaves of bread daily, at a cost of R8 per loaf, whilst external suppliers charge the DCS R23.50 per loaf.
@caxtonlocalmedia The Minister of Correctional Services, Dr Pieter Groenewald says the bakery will be a saving for the department. #highwaymail #durbannews #caxtondurban ♬ original sound – caxtonlocalmedia
Groenewald said the bakery will amount to annual savings of more or less R3m per annum.
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“The facility cost us about R7m but it is an investment, that after about two years then we will have the full benefit,” said the minister.
He added that almost 50 inmates were trained and will get certificates for their skills which will play a part in their rehabilitation and hoped for successful reintegration into society.
The minister said bread is also an important part of the nutrition programme for inmates.
The bakery at the Westville Prison, said Groenewald, is the 13th one the DCS has established throughout the country and the department has a target of having 20 of these by 2028.
So far, added the minister, the department is saving R7m overall annually with these bakeries.
Groenewald said this is part of the undertaking he made when he took up office, which was to “enhance” and “elevate” the department to ensure it is self-sufficient.
“It is purely to the benefit of the taxpayers of South Africa and if you add the agricultural activities and all other activities, the previous annual year. Through the management of the National Commissioner we saved the taxpayers almost R500 000,” said the minister, who reiterated the benefit for inmates when it comes to reintegration.
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