The Department of Correctional Services says it is ready to manage the Mangaung Correctional Centre from July 1, despite concerns from MPs about staffing, recruitment and ongoing litigation.

National Commissioner Makgothi Thobakgale briefed Parliament’s Correctional Services Portfolio Committee on Tuesday.

He said the department had been preparing for the shift for the past two to three years after the decision not to extend the contract for the Bloemfontein facility was announced in 2021.

Thobakgale said the prison would fall under the department’s Grootvlei Management Area from July 1.

“It is going to function like any other facility. We have even planned for the unforeseen,” he told MPs.

G4S staff face security checks

G4S, which manages the prison, has taken the department to court over the employment of its personnel as DCS prepares to take over management.

A Labour Court judgment ruled against the department, but Thobakgale said the State Law Advisor had been instructed to appeal.

He said taking over management would not automatically mean job losses.

However, he said DCS would only absorb G4S employees who qualify, pass security processes and are fit for purpose.

Thobakgale linked the strict screening to the risk exposed by the Thabo Bester escape.

He said the department would not hire people who could expose it to that kind of risk again.

MPs question recruitment timing

The department advertised posts in April and received about 24 000 applications for nearly 700 positions.

Shortlisting is underway.

DA MP Janho Engelbrecht said he was not convinced the department was ready to “pull this off”.

ANC MP Mzwanele Sokopo raised concerns that the department had only 28 days left to take over the running of the facility.

He said it was shocking that posts were only advertised in April, arguing that government recruitment could not realistically be completed in under two months.

Contingency plan in place

Portfolio committee chairperson Kgomotso Ramolobeng said the committee had repeatedly told the department to put its human resources systems in place.

Correctional Services Minister Piet Groenewald said he understood concerns about the late appeal, but said Thobakgale had a contingency plan.

While the full plan was not discussed, the department’s presentation referred to the secondment of 200 officials to help with security, management and operations while recruitment is finalised.

Thobakgale said litigation would not stop the department from carrying out its duties.

“The management of Mangaung Correctional Centre from July 1 is not going to be a friendly process. It will be smooth but won't be friendly on the side of those opposed to letting go,” he said.