Parliament, Tuesday, 26 November 2024 – The Portfolio Committee on Correctional Services was today assured that all plans are on track for the Department of Correctional Services (DCS) to take over the operations of two private correctional centres, with the Mangaung Correctional Centre the first on the list.
The Mangaung Correctional Centre was in the media in recent years after an inmate, Thabo Bester, escaped from the centre after allegedly faking his own death in a fire.
The committee heard that the Mangaung Correctional Centre in Bloemfontein in the Free State started operations on 1 July 2001 and will end 30 June 2026. Bloemfontein Correctional Contracts has a contract to manage the centre for a period of 25 years under the daily operations of G4S. The centre has an approved accommodation capacity of 2 928.
In November 2021, a Takeover Task Team was appointed in preparation for the move to take over the management of both Mangaung and Kutama-Sinthumule Correctional Centres at the end of the contract in 2026 and 2027 respectively.
Committee Chairperson Ms Kgomotso Anthea Ramolobeng applauded the fact that the takeovers are still on track and urged the DCS to do all in its power to ensure that it takes place on schedule.
The committee heard that while the Task Team was preparing the takeover process, a number of non-compliance incidents were uncovered at Mangaung Correctional Centre that led the DCS to invoke Section 112 of the Correctional Services Act on 28 March 2023. In May 2023, DCS took a decision to issue Bloemfontein Correctional Contracts with a 90-day notice of termination due to multiple non-compliances with the concession contract.
According to the DCS, after the Section 112 clause was invoked and a notice of termination of the concession contract was issued, Bloemfontein Correctional Contracts applied for an urgent court interdict to challenge the department’s decision. This action had an impact on the process to assume management of the two correctional centres, pending the court outcomes on the cases. The matter is not yet finalised and is still receiving legal attention. The DCS emphasised that the takeover will continue after the legal processes are finalised and or at the end the contract, whichever comes first. Members warned that legal action could be taken in order to stall the process so that the contract runs its term.
The committee expressed concerns that some inmates still do not have identity documents. “We do not want another incident like Thabo Bester, when we found out he does not have an ID,” said Ms Ramolobeng. The DCS informed the committee that some inmates indicate that they do not have the money to apply for an ID, using it as an excuse because they could be charged with additional crimes.
The committee said it will closely monitor the take-over plans. “The takeover of Mangaung is supposed to take place in June 2026 and, according to the contract, the department can start processes six months earlier. So, before that final takeover, the committee wants a report on the readiness to take over,” the Chairperson said.
ISSUED BY THE PARLIAMENTARY COMMUNICATION SERVICES ON BEHALF OF THE CHAIRPERSON OF THE PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE ON CORRECTIONAL SERVICES, MS KGOMOTSO ANTHEA RAMOLOBENG.
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