Thabo Bester Escape: Scathing Public Protector Report blames DCS

1 October 2024

The DA will write to the Chairperson of the Correctional Services Portfolio Committee requesting an urgent special joint Portfolio Committee meeting consisting of Correctional Services, Justice, and SAPS. This meeting will study the findings of the damning report released by the Public Protector of South Africa, which places significant blame on the Department of Correctional Services (DCS) for its handling of convicted rapist and murderer Thabo Bester's escape from the Mangaung Correctional Centre.

The report highlights serious lapses in the DCS’s conduct and response, exposing the department’s failures in addressing the incident promptly and adequately.

The investigation uncovered a series of failures by DCS, citing months of inaction and delays in reporting Bester's escape to the South African Police Service (SAPS).

According to the Public Protector, despite early indications that Bester had escaped and the discovery of what was alleged to be his remains in a staged fire at his cell, DCS delayed reporting the matter to law enforcement. Instead, the department passed responsibility to G4S, without conducting a thorough internal investigation or taking immediate corrective action.

This inaction allowed Bester to remain at large for several months, potentially endangering public safety and causing significant distress to the victims of his previous crimes.

The Public Protector’s findings accuse DCS officials of improper conduct and gross negligence. The report suggests that DCS failed to act with the urgency required for such a serious breach of security and failed to exercise adequate oversight of the private contractors responsible for managing the correctional facility.

It is noted that G4S played a role in the mismanagement of the escape, but DCS, as the primary custodian of correctional services in the country, is held accountable.

The escape of Thabo Bester has not only exposed significant gaps in South Africa's correctional system but also raised concerns about the effectiveness of public-private partnerships in managing critical state functions.

In light of these findings, it is clear that comprehensive change in the management and oversight of correctional facilities is essential to ensuring the safety and security of the public and the integrity of the justice system.

Issued by Janho Engelbrecht, DA Spokesperson on Correctional Services, 1 October 2024