Assessing the Effectiveness of Public Private Partnerships (PPPs) in the South African Correctional Centers Infrastructure Provision

Mokgale Maboko^*Nthatisi Khatleli^*

• University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa

The provision of infrastructure is crucial for driving economic growth in South Africa, but the country faces significant challenges in delivering these services, leading to widespread protests and negative economic consequences. In response, South Africa has adopted Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) as a key strategy in addressing socio-economic, political, and fiscal challenges. The Department of Correctional Services (DCS) has also implemented PPPs for infrastructure development and project delivery to reduce overcrowding, provide financial relief, and achieve strategic objectives. Notable examples include the Kutama-Sinthumule and Mangaung Correctional Centres, which provided financial relief and assisted with infrastructure provision. Despite the success of PPPs in addressing infrastructure needs within the DCS, security breaches and operational instability persist. This study examines the effectiveness of PPPs in infrastructure provision within the DCS. A qualitative mono-method approach was employed, using semi-structured, face-to-face interviews with 17 respondents from the DCS in Tshwane. Thematic analysis, through NVivo 12 software, was used to identify themes that highlight the effectiveness of PPPs within the department. The findings revealed a significant lack of oversight and limited experience in managing PPPs within the DCS. The study recommends an urgent need for the government to strengthen the legislative framework and implement robust monitoring tools to prevent opportunistic behaviour, enhance transparency, and improve accountability in PPP projects.