CAPE TOWN — The former head of Drakenstein Correctional Centre outside Paarl who faced allegations of abuse of power, malfeasance and fruitless and wasteful expenditure has now been appointed the new Area Commissioner of Pollmoor, Cape Town’s notorious maximum-security prison.
Ntomboxolo Kungune, at the formal swearing-in-ceremony on Monday (3 November), was also pinned with the insignia of Deputy Commissioner by National Commissioner Makgothi Thobakgale.
“This ceremonial event marks her ascension to the pivotal role of Area Commissioner for the Pollsmoor Management Area in the Western Cape Region.
“Having previously steered the Drakenstein Management Area with distinction, Ms Kungune now brings her proven expertise and visionary leadership to one of the region’s most critical correctional facilities,” the Department of Correctional Services said in a statement, heralding a new chapter for Pollsmoor.
In February last year Paarl Post reported on the shocking allegations levelled against her.
READ: Allegations levelled at Ntomboxolo Kungune head of Drakenstein prison
A group of wardens in January last year wrote a letter to the then-Minister of Correctional Services, Ronald Lamola, levelling the above-mentioned accusations against Kungune.
The allegations ranged from administrative to housing complaints.
Officials accused Kungune of abusing her authority by removing competent staff who disagree with her and replacing them with junior, compliant officials.
She is alleged to have suspended an unusually high number of staff – double the amount recorded over the previous five years – and treating the misconduct of her close associates leniently while harshly disciplining others.
Kungune’s leadership style was described as autocratic and intimidating.
She was further accused of dismantling the housing committee that allocated staff accommodation within the prison precincts and personally assigned houses to favoured officials, disregarding established criteria.
Some families were allegedly evicted unfairly.
Kungune reportedly renovated a departmental house without approval from Public Works, which funded the changes, and the house now stands vacant.
The wardens also made allegations that the prison’s abattoir, which supplies meat to correctional facilities nationwide, is said to be in disarray.
They claimed that experienced staff were replaced by untrained workers, causing severe production delays and inefficiencies.
Chickens and pigs are kept far beyond normal slaughtering ages, increasing feed costs and driving production prices up.
Last week, while still heading Drakenstein, the Department of Correctional Services confirmed it was aware of the allegations in question.
“These allegations were previously brought to the department’s attention,” said department spokesperson Singabakho Nxumalo. “The claims were thoroughly assessed and found to have no basis.
“Accordingly, there is no internal investigation currently underway against the Area Commissioner of Drakenstein.
“The department therefore dismisses the renewed allegations as unfounded and reiterates that the matter has been dealt with in full.”
