The portfolio committee on correctional services has raised concerns regarding staffing, recruitment and operational readiness. The department’s 25-year public-private partnership with Bloemfontein correctional contracts comes to an end on 30 June.

The maximum-security facility will be incorporated into the DCS operational structure under the Grootvlei management area, covering the Free State and Northern Cape. The private security company G4S attracted disrepute when rapist and murderer Thabo Bester escaped from custody at the Mangaung facility while it was running the prison.

In April, the court ruled that the department must absorb at least 500 workers after the termination of G4S’s contract. The department noted legal processes underway relating to a Labour Court judgment concerning the transfer of employees currently employed by G4S at Mangaung Correctional Centre.

PC on Correctional Services: National Commissioner of Correctional Services Mr Makgothi Thobakgale address the committee on the Mangaung take-over from 1 July 2026. @ParliamentofRSA @DCS_ZA @JICS_ZA pic.twitter.com/24x9eKtwPE

— Justice-and-security-Cluster (@JustSecuCluster) June 2, 2026

“Us managing Mangaung from 1 July would not necessarily equal the loss of jobs,” said correctional services national commissioner Makgothi Thobakgale.

“But we’ve also firmly indicated that we will only absorb employees from G4S who qualify, apart from employees who would have passed the test in terms of our own security clearance processes, who are fit for purpose, and who will not expose us to the risks that we experienced.

“The takeover is not going to be an operation that is friendly because of the hostility that we have been subjected to by G4S over time. So we have also planned for that part.”

In a statement, the department said extensive planning and implementation processes have been undertaken to ensure a seamless transition.

To coordinate preparations, the department established seven dedicated workstreams tasked with ensuring uninterrupted service delivery, offender management, and security from the first day of state administration.

A recruitment process is also underway. The DCS advertised 668 centre-based posts, including professional, specialist and artisan positions, in April. The recruitment process is expected to be finalised by 30 June, while 76 officials have already reported for duty at the facility.

“We want to commend the work you have done thus far in preparation to run the facility; however, we have serious concerns,” said committee chairperson Kgomotso Anthea Ramolobeng.

“Your recruitment process has not yet been finalised, and you have a history of delaying that. So, we have reason to be concerned.”

Despite parliamentary reservations, it requested a final readiness report before 30 June and plans to conduct an oversight visit after the transition takes effect.

OFM News/Zenande Mpame sm

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