As the Department of Correctional Services (DCS) continues cost-cutting measures, the National Council of SPCAs (NSPCA) feels it is negatively impacting the feeding of animals kept at the country’s 21 agricultural correctional centres.

The council said in a statement released yesterday that these animals, which include pigs, dairy cattle, poultry, equine used in mounted units, and dogs in the department’s canine units, now face critical food shortages.

According to the statement, the NSPCA finally had a meeting with the national and Gauteng regional departments on Monday after two postponements by the department.

Screaming pigs

“During this meeting, cost-containment measures (or ‘budget-cuts’ in layman’s terms) were formally acknowledged. The national director for production workshops and agriculture within the department, Elizabeth Lupele, expressed distress over the dire lack of feed at Baviaanspoort Correctional Centre earlier this month, stating that she witnessed pigs screaming, which she described as ‘traumatising to me personally’,” the statement added.

The NSPCA believes the animals are receiving insufficient and inappropriate feed.

“Previously, pigs were fed species-specific food twice daily, but they are now receiving a diluted mixture of the limited stock – only once a day. Correctional centres keep farm animals primarily to produce food for inmates,” the council stated.

It added that Baviaanspoort Correctional Centre houses approximately 1 500 pigs, but only plans to slaughter 60 pigs per day. “A simple solution exists: The department must immediately reduce its livestock numbers in accordance with the available feed supply,” it believes.

The statement urged Correctional Services Minister Dr Pieter Groenewald to intervene in what it labels ‘suffering under the guise of cost-containment’.

The NSPCA stated that it believes an estimated one million animals are kept at agricultural correctional facilities – animals that depend entirely on humans for their welfare.

“The minister of correctional services must intervene urgently to ensure that this issue is addressed on a national level, failing which all animals should be removed. Either way, those responsible for the neglect and suffering of animals will be held accountable,” the statement concluded.

Correctional services thanks NSPCA

The national department earlier today responded by issuing a statement. The statement issued by spokesperson Singabakho Nxumalo thanked the NSPCA for its ‘role in advocating for animal welfare’.

“DCS operates agricultural correctional centres primarily to support the department’s self-sufficiency and sustainability goals, ensuring food production for inmates while maintaining essential operational units. The department remains committed to upholding humane and ethical treatment standards for all animals under its care.

“It is important to emphasise that budgetary constraints do not equate to neglect. DCS has had to implement budget adjustments while ensuring the continued functionality of critical operations. While challenges have arisen in certain centres, the department has already implemented corrective measures to address shortages in animal feed,” the statement explained and added it acknowledged the concerns raised by the NSPCA.

Nxumalo added that national commissioner Makgothi Thobakgale has carried out comprehensive assessments across Baviaanspoort, Sevontein, and various agricultural centres, focusing on both immediate and long-term improvements.

“Additionally, regional offices and heads of centres have been sensitised on compliance with animal welfare standards across all correctional facilities… The well-being of animals in our care remains a priority, and necessary interventions have been implemented to uphold the highest standards,” the national department’s statement concluded.

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