BY THEMBA ZWANE
MBABANE – Deputy Commissioner General Bongani Khumalo is head of delegation leading His Majesty’s Correctional Services (HMCS) to represent Eswatini at Conference of SADC Heads of Corrections, Prisons and Penitentiary Services.
The high-level engagement is scheduled to take place in Salima, Malawi from 19-21 May 2026.
HMCS Deputy Public Relations Officer (PRO) Assistant Chief Officer Baphelele Kunene confirmed that head of delegation was the deputy commissioner general with Assistant Commissioner Elliot Zikalala and Assistant Superintendent Nozipho Gamedze.
Ahead of this important meeting, the Southern African Development Community (SADC), with the support of the Government of the Republic of Malawi, hosted a Meeting of Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) Experts for Corrections, Prisons and Penitentiary Services in Salima, Malawi.
The meeting brought together M&E experts from SADC Member States to review and reflect on the analysis report of the SADC Corrections/Prisons/Penitentiary Services Strategic Action Plan (2021–2025). Discussions focused on examining the findings and recommendations arising from the review of the strategy, identifying priority areas for future interventions, providing technical input and mapping the way forward.
Among the key issues highlighted during the meeting was the importance of incorporating anti-corruption initiatives into offender rehabilitation programmes, as well as strengthening interventions aimed at addressing gangsterism and gang management within correctional facilities across the region.
Participants also emphasised the important role of Monitoring and Evaluation in strengthening correctional and penitentiary systems across the region. Effective M&E systems enable Member States to track progress, measure results, identify gaps and support evidence-based decision-making.
The meeting further provided an opportunity for participants to review progress, share experiences and identify challenges affecting correctional and penitentiary services across the region. Discussions covered key areas including offender rehabilitation and reintegration, harmonisation of reporting systems, institutional reforms, human rights compliance, correctional services management, staff capacity development, health services, infrastructure improvement and the implementation of regional instruments.
The M&E Experts Meeting also focused on reviewing and clearing key documents, thereby providing a strong technical foundation for the upcoming Conference of SADC Heads of Corrections, Prisons and Penitentiary Services scheduled to take place from 19-21 May 2026 in Salima, Malawi.
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