MEC HLALELE CONDUCTS OVERSIGHT VISIT TO STRENGTHEN SECURE CARE SERVICES

By Thembile Nqabeni

• Several improvements have been completed at the Winkie Direko Secure Care Centre to enhance safety, functionality, and the rehabilitation environment in line with national standards.
• ⁠The centre remains temporarily closed until all critical infrastructure work is complete and full compliance with operational and safety requirements is achieved.
• MEC Hlalele reaffirmed the department’s dedication to providing children in secure care with safe, structured environments that support their development and successful return to society.

MEC Mathabo Hlalele today, 27 May 2026, conducted an oversight visit to the Winkie Direko Secure Care Centre as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen secure care services and ensure compliance with child justice and protection standards in the province.

The visit forms part of the Free State Department of Social Development’s mandate to protect vulnerable children, provide developmental social welfare services, promote rehabilitation and social reintegration, and ensure that children in conflict with the law are accommodated in safe, secure and rehabilitative environments that uphold their rights and dignity.

During the oversight engagement, MEC Hlalele assessed the progress of infrastructure upgrades currently underway, reviewed outstanding operational challenges, and monitored compliance matters relating to secure care services and child justice processes. Officials presented updates on infrastructure improvements already completed at the centre. The upgrades are intended to improve safety, functionality and the overall rehabilitation environment in line with national norms and standards governing child and youth care facilities.

The Winkie Direko Secure Care Centre is a residential facility accommodating young people between the ages of 14 and 17 who are in conflict with the law. In addition to rehabilitation services, the centre implements community-based crime prevention and substance abuse awareness programmes aimed at reducing youth vulnerability and strengthening families and communities.

Despite progress made on infrastructure improvements, the facility remains temporarily closed pending the completion of critical upgrades and full compliance with operational and safety requirements.

MEC Hlalele emphasised the importance of ensuring that all compliance matters are comprehensively addressed before the centre resumes operations.

“The department remains committed to ensuring that children placed in secure care facilities are provided with a safe, structured and rehabilitative environment that supports their development and successful reintegration into society,” said MEC Hlalele.

The visit reaffirmed the department’s commitment to strengthening secure care services across the province and ensuring that facilities operate in accordance with child justice legislation, child protection frameworks and the broader developmental mandate of government.

The department continues to work closely with relevant stakeholders to ensure that the centre meets all required standards and is fully prepared to resume operations and provide quality rehabilitative services to children in need of care and protection.