The Department of Correctional Services has issued the Mangaung Correctional Centre's management company with a notice that it will terminate its contract.Justice Minister Ronald Lamola didn't want to elaborate, as the matter could be subject to litigation.
While this could put the prison back under the department's management within 90 days, a legal challenge to the move is expected. "The notice to terminate follows a legal opinion that DCS had sought. It has been deemed that BCC is not suitable to continue with the contract," Lamola said. "Indeed, we have received the legal opinion, which does show that the systematic challenges which we faced with the MCC over a number of years, including the last one with the escape, points to the fact that the management contract or concession contract cannot continue in this kind of a format, because, indeed, they are struggling to meet the contractual obligations," Lamola responded.