Zuko Komisa

Dr. Pieter Groenewald, the Minister of Correctional Services, recently visited the Grootvlei and Mangaung Correctional Centers in Bloemfontein.
The Minister carried out a thorough physical examination of the Mangaung institution, the scene of the well-known inmate Thabo Bester’s 2022 escape. He inspected the cell where the fire incident happened and the place where the false body was taken were also inspected.
According to the Department of Correctional Services Minister this analysis demonstrates once more how many security lapses occurred, indicating that this escape was well-planned.
“Notably, the system has been significantly manipulated, with several employees implicated in the escape. Of those individuals, several officials have been charged as co-accused. Numerous security system upgrades were presented to the Minister,”
“The Minister expressed dissatisfaction with the delays linked to these construction projects, attributing these challenges to the Department of Public Works. He intends to formally address this issue with [Public Works and Infrastructure] Minister [Dean] Macpherson,” the Department of Correctional Services said.
Meanwhile, Groenewald, has concluded the backlog of parole applications for inmates who are serving life sentences.
According to the department all profiles, including the inherited backlog of 495 cases and 104 new cases, a total of 599, have been concluded by the Minister as of 3 October 2024.
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