Slap on the Wrist for Officials Who Delayed Reporting Bester’s Escape

Dear Editor

The DA calls on the Minister of Correctional Services, Pieter Groenewald, to appear before the Portfolio Committee to explain the lack of consequence management within the Department of Correctional Services (DCS). This follows the damning revelations about the escape of Thabo Bester from Mangaung Correctional Centre, which have exposed the Department’s failure to uphold its basic responsibilities.

Despite the Minister’s initial “tough talk,” the actions taken against the officials responsible for delaying the reporting of Bester’s escape have been woefully inadequate. These officials, who failed to promptly report the escape, were merely reassigned and given final written warnings – a grossly insufficient response to a case of such extreme negligence with far-reaching consequences.

The Public Protector’s scathing report underscores not only the delay in reporting Bester’s escape but also DCS’s alarming negligence. It took more than six months for the department to alert the police, despite knowing the body found in Bester’s cell was not his. This inexcusable failure put public safety at risk, allowing a convicted murderer and rapist to remain free for nearly a year.

What is most disturbing is the absence of real accountability. The officials responsible for delaying the reporting of this catastrophic failure have faced little more than reassignments, with no serious disciplinary action. This sends a dangerous message that there are no meaningful consequences for negligence in the DCS, perpetuating the culture of impunity that has plagued the department for years. When officials are not held accountable, it undermines public trust and weakens the justice system as a whole.

While G4S, the private security company contracted to prevent such incidents, also shares responsibility, DCS cannot deflect blame. The department is ultimately accountable for ensuring the proper functioning of its facilities and overseeing the actions of its contractors. The significant lapses in DCS’s oversight reveal that the department is equally at fault for this monumental failure.

The DA has long called for stricter consequence management in DCS, especially in light of the ongoing contraband crisis in prisons.

Regards

Janho Engelbrecht MP
DA Spokesperson on Correctional Services