Katlego Sekhu
In May of this year, The Department of Correctional Services (DCS) decided to terminate its concession contract with Bloemfontein Correctional Services (BCC).
This is the company that subcontracted the private security company G4S to oversee security at the Mangaung Correctional Center, where Thabo Bester escaped.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, May 2, the DCS said the decision fell in line with the concession agreement, and a 90-day termination notice had been given to BCC, thereafter, the contract would cease to operate.
More recently, The Sowetan revealed that in its affidavit, Bloemfontein Correctional Contracts (BCC) argued that the cancellation was procedurally flawed and invalid.
The paper reports that Director John Mokoena accused Minister Lamola of bowing down to public pressure when he decided to send them a notice of termination of the contract, which has been running since 2000. He cited the facility’s track record of four escapes from custody, including Bester’s, in its 23 years, compared to 515 escapes from other prisons in the last decade.
959 Breakfast’s Sizwe Dhlomo engaged legal analyst Nthabiseng Dubazana on the “importance of legal understanding in public discourse.”
Dubazana emphasizes the significance of informed discussions when engaging in public discourse, particularly in matters involving the law. Dubazana advises individuals to exercise caution and “seek proper legal advice before making any statements related to legal matters.” Acknowledging that laymen’s discussions differ vastly from legal arguments, she urges people to understand the intricacies and complexities involved in legal cases.
Regarding contractual matters, Dubazana notes that the public’s involvement may be limited unless it can be “proven that the contract’s continuation will negatively impact the public.”
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