By Levy Masiteng
The Portfolio Committee on Correctional Services has called for the immediate termination of G4S’s contract to manage the Mangaung Correctional Centre, citing the company’s refusal to take accountability for wrongdoing at the privately run facility.
Committee chairperson Kgomotso Anthea Ramolobeng accused G4S of “acting as a law unto themselves” and said their actions warranted the cancellation of their contract.
The decision followed a briefing this week by the Department of Correctional Services (DCS) on unnatural inmate deaths across its facilities. According to the committee’s communications officer, Rajaa Azzakani, 1,718 deaths were recorded over the past three years, including 1,144 natural deaths, 152 confirmed unnatural deaths, and 422 cases still under investigation.
“Shockingly, 67 of these unnatural deaths were suicides, 55 homicides, and 22 of unknown causes,” Azzakani said.
Committee members expressed outrage at the treatment of inmates.
DA MP Kabelo Kgobisa-Ngcaba linked the high number of suicides
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