For a soundbite by Ms Kgomotso Anthea Ramolobeng, the Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Correctional Services, please click: https://iono.fm/e/1737928
Parliament, Tuesday, 10 November 2026 – The Portfolio Committee on Correctional Services today indicated that it would continue to exercise its constitutional oversight mandate to ensure that the Department of Correctional Services (DCS) complies with binding court orders arising from the labour dispute involving former G4S employees at Mangaung Correctional Centre, now known as Grootvlei Correctional Centre.
Committee Chairperson Ms Kgomotso Anthea Ramolobeng said the committee’s role is not to determine the legal merits of the dispute or to assume the functions of the courts. Its role is to hold the department accountable for its decisions, its legal processes and its implementation of court orders.
The committee met today to consider its oversight responsibilities following requests from G4S employees to intervene and compel the DCS to implement a court ruling to have them absorbed into the department. The committee also received an update briefing on the operational transfer of the facility and related matters, including staff uniforms, medication for offenders, offender uniforms, filling of vacancies and the state of the facility’s kitchen.
The committee has noted the guidance provided by Parliament’s Constitutional and Legal Services Office on the separation of powers and the sub judice rule. While Parliament must respect judicial independence, this does not prevent the committee from exercising oversight over the department’s compliance with court orders, the presentation read. Section 165(5) of the Constitution is clear that court orders bind all organs of state.
The committee heard that the Labour Court ruled on 5 May 2026 that the transfer of Mangaung Correctional Centre constituted a transfer of business under Section 197 of the Labour Relations Act. “The committee is concerned about the subsequent legal developments, including the department’s unsuccessful attempts to challenge the ruling. It has also noted that the department did not pursue a further petition after obtaining legal advice,” said Ms Ramolobeng.
She also noted that the committee was informed this morning that the court refused the department’s application for leave to appeal.
“The committee expects the National Commissioner to provide a comprehensive account of the department’s legal position and its intended course of action following the latest court developments. The department must also keep the committee informed of all legal processes and negotiations relating to the implementation of the judgment, including discussions with the Police and Prisons Civil Rights Union (POPCRU) towards a possible settlement agreement,” the Chairperson said.
Ms Ramolobeng further stated that: “Our responsibility is to ensure that the department does not treat court orders as optional. We respect the courts and the separation of powers, but we will not abdicate our responsibility to ensure that the executive complies with binding judicial decisions. The department must account to Parliament for what it is doing, how it intends to proceed and within what timeframes.”
The committee noted that negotiations between DCS and POPCRU had commenced following engagements between the National Commissioner and the union on 18 August 2026. The department subsequently instructed its Human Resources and Legal Services teams to engage with organised labour’s legal representatives, with discussions starting on 27 August 2026. A proposed mandate and associated costing were being processed for further negotiations.
“The committee will monitor these processes closely. It expects clarity on whether and how the department intends to absorb affected employees, how the process will be implemented and how individual circumstances, including possible criminal records or misconduct, will be addressed lawfully and fairly,” emphasised Ms Ramolobeng.
On the operational transition at Grootvlei, the committee noted that 489 of the 682 posts advertised had been filled since 4 August 2026, including 363 security officials and 38 professionals. A total of 333 former G4S employees had been appointed, of whom 64 were former G4S officials. The committee also noted the initial recruitment drive, which attracted 24 230 applications for 668 posts, and the subsequent advertisement of 14 additional posts, which attracted 1 652 applications.
While acknowledging the progress, the committee remains concerned about the staffing complement and the 103 funded vacancies identified. It urged the department to fill these vacancies within a reasonable period and indicated that it would request a progress report by the end of January 2027.
The committee also commended the department for ensuring that appointed officials and offenders were provided with uniforms. However, it expects the outstanding inspection report on the Grootvlei kitchen to be finalised and submitted before Parliament rises for the December recess.
The committee will further schedule an oversight briefing early in 2027 on the department’s state of readiness to take over the Kutama-Sinthumule Correctional Centre, another privately operated facility whose contract ends in February next year. The Mangaung transition must provide important lessons to ensure that the next handover is properly planned and does not expose the department to avoidable operational, labour or financial risks.
The Chairperson emphasised that the committee would continue to monitor the department’s legal and operational processes and expects regular updates on its compliance with court orders.
“We want this matter resolved lawfully, fairly and as speedily as possible. Our concern is that the department must act within the law, respect the rights of affected employees and ensure continuity and stability in the correctional system. We will continue to hold the department accountable for the decisions it takes and the progress it makes,” Ms Ramolobeng 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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