The Department of Correctional Services (DCS) has confirmed that G4S, the private security contractor managing Mangaung Correctional Centre in Bloemfontein, has been compelled to take disciplinary action against its own staff following recurring corruption, security breaches, and delayed incident reporting.

In response to a Parliamentary question, DCS clarified that it does not hold direct authority to discipline G4S employees, as this responsibility falls under the company’s internal processes. However, the Department retains the power to suspend or withdraw certificates of operation of any G4S employee deemed unfit for duty under the Correctional Services Act and related contractual provisions.

According to information submitted to the Department, between April 2023 and the present:

• 19 employees were suspended

• 12 were dismissed

• 20 resigned before investigations were concluded

These cases were linked to allegations of corruption, dereliction of duty, and security violations.

The Department further confirmed that financial penalties had been enforced. Since the inception of the contract, a total of R2.5 million has been recovered from Bloemfontein Correctional Contracts (BCC), the consortium managing the facility, with G4S as subcontractor overseeing daily operations.

The Supervisory Committee, which adjudicates on compliance matters, meets every two to three months to consider observation notices. Its rulings become binding within 14 days unless contested by either party, and the Department enforces penalty decisions when necessary.

In terms of independent oversight, the Judicial Inspectorate for Correctional Services (JICS) remains the primary watchdog. JICS is mandated to inspect correctional centres, ensure humane treatment of inmates, and report on corruption and systemic failures directly to Parliament.

The revelations underscore persistent concerns over the management of Mangaung Correctional Centre, one of only two privately run prisons in South Africa. While DCS can enforce penalties and restrict operations, critics argue that the reliance on G4S’s internal disciplinary procedures continues to raise questions about accountability and transparency in cases of misconduct.