The Police and Prison Civil Rights Union has issued an urgent letter accusing the Department of Correctional Services of bypassing a labour court ruling ahead of the Mangaung facility's transfer to state control on 1 July.
POPCRU sent the letter on 29 June 2026 through its attorneys, demanding that the department provide uniforms, equipment and shift schedules for former G4S staff by 1 July. The union also called for an end to external recruitment, which it described as an attempt to circumvent the court order.
The labour court ruled on 30 April 2026 that the termination of the concession constitutes a transfer of business as a going concern under Section 197 of the Labour Relations Act. An application to stay the order was dismissed on 18 June 2026.
Bloemfontein Correctional Contracts warned in a separate record of position that lack of preparation risks derailing an orderly handover. POPCRU stated it would seek contempt of court sanctions if the department fails to comply.
