Following the Thabo Bester escape saga from the Mangaung Correctional Centre, the Department of Correctional Services had issued a termination of contract to G4S.

However, in a turn of events Correctional Services Minister Pieter Groenewald has confirmed that the contract with the security company is still active and they are continue to run Mangaung.

 BUSINESS AS USUAL

Groenewald added that some officers involved in the Bester escape, whose trial will start in February 2025, were moved to other departments.

They got their final written warnings and moved to other departments He said the Public Protector also found that there was enough disciplinary action against them.

"We know that the findings by the PP are binding, but I did ask about more severe action but labour laws protect them through the findings, so there's nothing I can do about it," the minister said.

CHALLENGES IN CORRECTIONAL SERVICES 

Groenewald said they are faced with a lot of challenges as a department bearing in mind that for 10 years there was no ministry because it was combined with the department of justice.

"The challenges include the budget, over a five year period we have a budget cut of R7 billion which poses financial constraints for example in issues like security. The other recent challenge that I had was applications on life sentences applying for parole. It's only the minister that can approve or disapprove this, so I inherited a backlog of R495 applications plus another 104 that were added since I became the minister in July and I?ve set a goal to finalise." He added that they are also dealing with extensive corruption and overcrowding.