The Portfolio Committee on Correctional Services has highlighted the Department of Correctional Services’ (DCS) past inability to stick to its recruitment targets as a troubling indicator that it might not be ready to assume the management of the Mangaung Correctional Centre in the Free State from 1 July 2026.
The committee was speaking during a briefing on 2 June about the department’s preparedness to manage the facility, which has been in the news for all the wrong reasons since an inmate, Thabo Bester, escaped after allegedly faking his own death in May 2022.
Committee Chairperson Ms Kgomotso Anthea Ramolobeng said while the committee noted the progress made since its last engagement with the department on the matter in December 2025, the briefing has not allayed committee members’ concerns. “We want to commend the work you have done thus far in preparation to run the facility come the beginning of next month. We note the contingency plans you have put in place as you aware the environment you are going into might be hostile.
“However, we have serious concerns. Your recruitment process has not yet been finalised, and you have a history of delaying that. So, we have reason to be concerned. We note that 668 centre-based posts were advertised, but selection and recruitment must still be finalised. If it is new entrants to the systems, they will have to be trained at your colleges,” were some of the concerns raised by the Chairperson.
“Furthermore, we note that although uniforms for both officials and inmates have been ordered, the bulk must still be delivered, and none of the sheets and pillowcases were delivered as yet,” elaborated Ms Ramolobeng.
Committee member Ms Kabelo Kgobisa-Ngcaba expressed her disappointment at the incomplete processes to assume management responsibilities, saying that the department has been aware of the deadline for a long time.
The committee heard that Bloemfontein Correctional Contracts, whose contract to manage Mangaung Correctional Centre was terminated after Bester’s escape, is still in litigation with the DCS about the termination. In addition, the committee noted the DCS’s appeal of a Labour Court ruling in May, which ruled that the current staff at Mangaung, who are employed by a sub-contractor, G4S, must remain in their posts. The committee re-iterated its concerns on this point, as G4S staff are remunerated at a higher rate than DCS staff, which could lead to challenges.
Committee member Mr Janho Engelbrecht was the first to dispute this. He pointed out the delays in the delivery of orders and the DCS’s history of delayed recruitment and appointment processes as the reasons for his concerns.
This concern was shared by committee member Mr Mzwandile Sokopo who said no government department can finalise recruitment in two months. He was also uneasy about G4S staff being renumerated at a higher rate and transferring officials from other centres to Mangaung, as this would create shortages at the centre they are being moved from.
Another committee member, Mr Erald Cloete, questioned the DCS on the number of officials sent to Mangaung Correctional Centre as part of the take-over plan. He requested a list of names, as well as a breakdown of their positions and responsibilities.
The committee further heard that Healthcare Services inspected the correctional centre kitchen in May. All kitchen equipment was found to be in good working condition; however, some sections of the kitchen need repairs. The DCS said the contractor is expected to complete the repairs by 19 June 2026.
The DCS assured the committee that is ready to assume the management of the centre, although it was unable to answer questions at this time on some security issues.
The committee requested an updated consolidated readiness report from the DCS on all work streams before 30 June, as well as another report following the first 30 days after take-over. The committee will also apply to conduct an oversight visit next month to the centre.
Rajaa Azzakani
3 June 2026
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