Public Protector’s Report Confirms Delays in Reporting Thabo Bester Escape, Minister Responds

by Selinda Phenyo
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By Lerato Mpembe

The Public Protector has released a report confirming the long-suspected delays in the Department of Correctional Services’ (DCS) response to the infamous 2022 escape of convicted rapist and murderer Thabo Bester from Mangaung Correctional Centre. The report, which holds serious implications for both the DCS and G4S, found that allegations of an “undue delay by the functionaries of the Department of Correctional Services to act in compliance with the regulatory prescripts and procedural requirements on information received regarding the escape of Mr Bester” were substantiated.

In response, Correctional Services Minister Dr. Pieter Groenewald acknowledged the shortcomings within his department. However, he was quick to assert that G4S, the private security company tasked with managing Mangaung Correctional Centre, bears significant responsibility for the breach. The minister emphasized that such an escape should never have occurred under G4S’s supervision, and vowed to implement stricter consequence management to prevent a recurrence of such incidents.

The Escape That Shocked South Africa

Thabo Bester, dubbed the “Facebook Rapist,” was serving a life sentence for the brutal murder of model and car saleswoman Nomfundo Tyhulu, as well as multiple counts of rape. His 2022 escape from the high-security Mangaung Correctional Centre in Bloemfontein not only rocked South Africa but also exposed significant failings within the country’s correctional services system.

Initial reports of Bester’s escape were met with confusion, as prison authorities claimed that he had died in a fire inside his cell. However, the truth quickly emerged that Bester had orchestrated an elaborate plot to fake his own death, using the charred remains of another individual to cover his tracks. This deception allowed him to escape undetected for several weeks before authorities launched a manhunt to recapture him.

The Public Protector’s report reveals that key officials within the DCS failed to act in a timely manner after learning of the escape, contributing to Bester’s ability to remain at large for a longer period than necessary.

Public Protector’s Findings

The Public Protector’s investigation, prompted by numerous complaints and media coverage of the scandal, has now confirmed that the DCS officials involved in the handling of Bester’s escape were slow to act, thereby violating regulatory prescripts and procedural requirements. The report identifies several areas where correctional services personnel were found wanting, particularly in their communication and response to the alarming information about the incident.

According to the report, officials from the Mangaung Correctional Centre, operated by G4S under a public-private partnership, did not immediately report the escape to higher authorities or the police, as required by protocol. Instead, there was an “undue delay,” which the Public Protector’s office found to be both inexcusable and a contributing factor to Bester’s ability to evade justice for a prolonged period.

Additionally, the report highlights deficiencies in the DCS’s oversight role, indicating that the department had not exercised sufficient control and monitoring of G4S’s operations, which ultimately allowed Bester to exploit weaknesses in the system.

Minister’s Response and G4S’s Role

In his response to the report, Minister Dr. Pieter Groenewald expressed his deep dissatisfaction with how the situation was handled by DCS officials. While acknowledging the delays within his own department, Groenewald did not shy away from pointing the finger at G4S, stating that the company was primarily responsible for ensuring that such an escape did not occur.

“While the Minister acknowledges that the officials were slow to report the escape, he firmly asserts that G4S bears significant responsibility for this incident. G4S was tasked with ensuring that such an escape did not occur,” the department said in a statement.

The minister was particularly critical of G4S’s failure to secure the facility and prevent an inmate like Bester from orchestrating such a sophisticated escape. Groenewald stressed that G4S’s role as a private security provider was to ensure the safety and security of both inmates and the public, and that this responsibility was not taken lightly.

G4S has faced significant scrutiny since the escape, with many calling for the termination of their contract with the government. However, despite the growing pressure, G4S has maintained that it acted within the framework of its contract and is cooperating fully with the investigation.

Disciplinary Actions Taken by DCS

In light of the Public Protector’s findings, the Department of Correctional Services has announced that the officials involved in the case have been “reassigned to alternative positions” and issued with final written warnings for their failure to promptly report the escape. These disciplinary measures are intended to hold those responsible accountable for their lack of adherence to established protocols.

“The Minister emphasises that such behaviour is unacceptable and assures the public that stricter consequence management will be implemented to prevent similar incidents during his tenure,” the department’s statement added.

Groenewald’s promise of stricter consequence management aligns with his broader plan to improve the performance of the DCS and ensure that the regulatory prescripts governing the country’s correctional services are rigorously adhered to.

The Role of Private Security Companies in South Africa’s Correctional Facilities

The Thabo Bester escape has reignited the debate about the role of private companies like G4S in managing South Africa’s correctional facilities. Private security companies are contracted by the government to run certain high-security prisons, including Mangaung Correctional Centre, but questions have been raised about the oversight and accountability of these private entities.

Critics argue that while private companies may bring efficiency and expertise to the management of prisons, the lack of direct government oversight can lead to situations where safety and security are compromised, as was the case with Bester’s escape. The Public Protector’s report has further highlighted the need for the government to revisit its relationship with private security providers and assess whether more stringent regulations and oversight mechanisms are required.

Minister Groenewald has signalled his intention to review the current contracts with private security companies and assess whether changes need to be made to ensure that South Africa’s correctional facilities are better secured.


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