By Thys Khiba – The Department of Correctional Services (DCS) announced on Tuesday that it has taken a decision to terminate its concession contract with the Bloemfontein Correctional Services (BCC).

Minister Ronald Lamola indicated that the decision to terminate was taken after a legal opinion that DCS sought.

“DCS has, this morning, served Mangaung Correctional Services PTY LTD (a private company) with a notice to terminate. The notice to terminate follows a legal opinion that DCS sought.

“It has been deemed that BBC is not suitable to continue with the contract,” said Lamola.

Departmental spokesperson Singabakho Nxumalo confirmed that in line with the concession agreement, a termination notice for a period of 90 days has been given to BCC, and thereafter, the contract will cease to operate.

The department is expected to immediately resume with an internal exercise for the takeover process.

“The notice of termination follows the announcement on 20 April 2023 by DCS that it had referred its contract with BBC for a legal opinion.

“It has been deemed that BBC is neither competent, nor suitable to continue with the concession contract. BCC is contracted to operate the Mangaung Correctional Services, a public private partnership facility,” said DCS in a statement.

This comes after a controversial escape by convicted murder and rapist Thabo Bester from the Mangaung Correctional Centre in May 2022.

The escape was reported and exposed by media and Bester and his partner Dr Nandipha Magudumana were later arrested.

Dr Nandipha is expected to appear in the Bloemfontein Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday and Thursday for bail application.

Meanwhile, Bester is incarcerated at the Kgosi Mampuru C-Max Facility. He will be appearing with his co-accused on May 16, 2023, in Bloemfontein.

CENTRAL NEWS

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