Minister of Correctional Services Ronald Lamola says the department’s contract with G4S to operate the Mangaung prison would be cancelled in 90 days. According to the minister, the decision comes after the prison escape of convicted murderer and rapist Thabo Bester from the from the Mangaung Maximum Correctional Facility in May last year.
The minister was briefing Members of Parliament (MPs) about his department’s annual performance plan and budget on Tuesday.
“The notice to terminate follows how DCS [Department of Correctional Services] sought a legal opinion and it has been deemed that BCC [Bloemfontein Correctional Contracts] is not suitable to continue with the contract. In line with the concession contract agreement, a termination notice of a period of 90 days has been served to the BCC and thereafter the contract will seize to operate,” said Lamola.
The contract between G4S and Correctional Services was set to expire on 30June 2026. It was also revealed that 22 other prison escapes occurred last year, and that a number of officials had been suspended in connection with those incidents.
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