The Department of Correctional Services says it is ready to take total control of the notorious Mangaung Correctional Centre in Bloemfontein, the centre where convicted rapist and murderer Thabo Bester escaped in May 2022.
At the time, Bester faked his death in a fire at the maximum security facility, which is privately run by G4S.
Spokesperson for Correctional Services, Singabakho Nxumalo, says the transition of the centre marks a significant milestone in the department’s efforts to strengthen state capacity in the management of correctional facilities.
“The Department of Correctional Services confirmed its readiness to assume full operational responsibility for Mangaung Correctional Centre from the first of July 2026. This followed the conclusion of the 25-year public-private partnership agreement between the department and Bloemfontein Correctional Contracts, otherwise known as BCC. The public-private partnership contract commenced on 30 June 2001 and will formally expire on the 20th of June 2026. In the preparation for the transition, correctional services have undertaken extensive planning and implementation processes of a seamless transfer of operations.”
Correctional Services Ready to Assume Operational Responsibility of Mangaung Correctional Centre. pic.twitter.com/ZjTrQsIYUC
— The Department Correctional Services
(@DCS_ZA) June 2, 2026
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