Correctional Services | Spotlight on Ebongweni Super Maximum Prison

The super-maximum prison, eBongweni Correctional Centre in Kokstad, KwaZulu-Natal, is in the spotlight again. In December 2025, attempted murder-accused Vusumuzi Cat Matlala was transferred from Kgosi Mampuru in Pretoria to eBongweni. This week, Correctional Services announced the transfer of convicted serial rapist Thabo Bester to the facility. South Africa has 243 correctional centres and two Super Maximum prisons in Pretoria and Kokstad. eBongweni is reportedly one of the biggest super-max prisons in the world. SABC News previously spoke to the now-suspended Regional Commissioner in KwaZulu-Natal about the security features of the centre. For more news, visit sabcnews.com and #SABCNews on all Social Media platforms.