Department of Correctional Services National Commissioner Makgothi Thobakgale says the department has a contingency plan to take over the management of the Mangaung Correctional Centre on July 1 from the public-private partnership with the Bloemfontein Correctional Centre consortium.
Despite concerns from MPs about the pending staff recruitment for the Mangaung Correctional Centre (MCC) and a recent appeal to a court order, the Department of Correctional Services is adamant that it has planned for all eventualities.
Briefing the Correctional Services Portfolio Committee on Tuesday, National Commissioner Makgothi Thobakgale said the announcement not to extend the contract if the Bloemfontein Correctional Centre was made in 2021.
“We have been in the process over the past two to three years to take over,” said Thobakgale.
He said the department planned for unforeseen situations with the understanding that on July 1 the MCC would fall under the department's Grootvlei Management Area.
