The Department of Correctional Services assumed control of the Mangaung Correctional Centre on 1 July 2026. The facility has been renamed Grootvlei Maximum Correctional Centre. Labour tensions involving former G4S staff have emerged during the transition.
The handover ended a long-standing public-private partnership contract with Bloemfontein Correctional Contracts. The centre was previously operated by G4S. This follows the 2022 escape of Thabo Bester and reports of human rights concerns at the facility.
Prisoners Organisation for Human Rights has urged the department and union POPCRU to settle differences. Approximately 250 former G4S employees are reported without jobs. Workers were allegedly locked out when reporting for duty.
POPCRU issued a letter demanding absorption of staff in line with a labour court ruling. SAPOHR national spokesperson Miles Bhudu warned of possible passive resistance actions if the standoff continues beyond next week Tuesday.
