Westville Prison inmates raise concerns over food shortages and kitchen failures - IOL

A MAN from Chatsworth shared the impact of his recent 11-month incarceration in Westville Prison in Durban, which, he said,  was marked by “inhumane living conditions”. 

A MAN from Chatsworth shared the impact of his recent 11-month incarceration in Westville Prison in Durban, which, he said,  was marked by “inhumane living conditions”. 

“The food was insufficient. We were fed twice a day. At 9am, we were given two slices of bread with jam. Between 4pm and 6pm, we were served soup and something called ‘Mosso Mosso’, which is soya chunks. It tasted like plastic, and pap or samp,” said the man, who added that the murder charges against him were withdrawn. 

“Sometimes we were given pumpkin or cabbage, but this was not even cooked well.”

Earlier this year, Waseem Kudoos, a SARS employee who was charged for the execution-style murders of his gardener, Mzikayise Paulos Mabida, and barber, Mahmudel Sajid, said the food at Westville Prison “is not good for human consumption”. 

During his bail application at the Chatsworth Magistrate’s Court, he said his time in prison affected him as there were food shortages. He also claimed there were no considerations for Muslims in the diet plan for inmates.

He told the court: “I am not eating well. There are shortages of food, and they do not give us enough food. We are given oily soya with dried bread and cabbage at times. When they do serve meat, I am not sure if I can eat it. They have not considered that I am a Muslim.

“I have not eaten well for a long time. There is no proper food. The food they give us is not good for human consumption. The last time I was allowed a visit, I ate KFC. I have a family history of (high) cholesterol, which I want to prevent.

“When we enquired about the separate diet for Islamic inmates, we were told that the kitchen was not working. They always give excuses. We are served one meal at around 9am and the second meal, which is the last meal, is served at 1pm,” Kudoos had said.

Richard Mamabolo, spokesperson for the Police and Prisons Civil Rights Union (Popcru), said they were aware of longstanding concerns relating to food provision and kitchen infrastructure at Westville Prison.

“The Westville Medium A kitchen has been closed since February 2025 after failing to meet required compliance standards. As a consequence, meals have had to be prepared at neighbouring sections of the Westville complex and transported to Medium A. 

“The department has indicated that breakfast is prepared at the Medium Pre-Release Correctional Centre, while lunch and supper are prepared at Westville Maximum. The kitchen requires substantial refurbishment and its reopening has only been projected for the 2027/28 financial year.”

Mamabolo said inadequate or delayed food provision could generate frustration and tension inside already overcrowded facilities, and correctional officials were the frontline workers who must manage the consequences.

“For this reason, the department must urgently accelerate the refurbishment of dysfunctional kitchens, ensure reliable food supply chains and strengthen monitoring of food quality, quantities, preparation and distribution. 

“Correctional officials should not be placed in situations where infrastructure and procurement failures create avoidable security tensions between officials and inmates.”

Mamabolo said food procurement in particular required serious scrutiny. 

He said Parliament previously questioned why the DCS's externally procured bread price increased from R13.36 per loaf in 2024/25 to R22.95 in 2025/26. 

“When a department is under severe financial pressure, procurement inefficiencies and excessive prices must be addressed before frontline services are cut.

“We therefore support Parliament's demand for a credible financial recovery plan, but that plan must address the causes of the projected R749 million over-expenditure rather than simply reducing expenditure indiscriminately. This is a criminal justice system problem, and it requires a criminal justice system solution.”