The DA conducted an oversight visit to the renamed Grootvlei Maximum Correctional Centre. The party said the visit revealed confusion on the ground, raising concerns about staffing, security and the department’s operational readiness.

The visit comes a day after the department officially assumed full management of the prison, ending more than 20 years of private operation by G4S. The transition follows the expiry of the public-private partnership contract between DCS and Bloemfontein Correctional Contracts (BCC), which subcontracted G4S to manage the facility.

The prison, which came under intense scrutiny following the 2022 escape of convicted rapist and murderer Thabo Bester, officially became a state-run facility from midnight on Wednesday (1/7).

However, the DA says its oversight visit exposed serious concerns about the department’s readiness to manage one of South Africa’s highest-security prisons.

“(This is) despite repeated assurances from the department of correctional services that the transition from G4S would be seamless,” said DA spokesperson on correctional services MP Janho Engelbrecht.

 “The reality on the ground is one of confusion, lockdown, and deliberate obstruction of lawful oversight by members of parliament. Prisons housing the most dangerous criminals should under no circumstances be facing staffing, management and security meltdowns.

“The use of a lockdown to prevent MPs from exercising their legal duty of oversight is a clear admission that the department has something to hide. The minister and the department must be held accountable for this blatant failure and must assure the public of their safety.”

The party alleges that the facility was placed under lockdown shortly before MPs arrived, preventing them from carrying out their constitutional oversight responsibilities.

Former G4S employees outside the Grootvlei Maximum Correctional Centre. Photo supplied

It further alleges more than 30 vehicles transporting former G4S employees, whom the Labour Court ordered DCS to absorb, were denied entry when they reported for duty.

It further warned the prisons housing some of the country’s most dangerous offenders should not experience staffing, management or security breakdowns, arguing that such failures increase the risk of another high-profile escape similar to that of Thabo Bester.

The Grootvlei Maximum Correctional Centre will now operate as a three-tier security facility, incorporating low, medium and maximum-security units under direct state administration.

OFM News/Zenande Mpame sm

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