KEY POINTS
- Security gaps in correctional facilities are allowing inmates to escape, with hospitals now a key vulnerability.
- The Public Protector’s report on Thabo Bester’s escape led to new security strategies, whistleblowing hotlines, and anti-corruption measures.
- The Department of Correctional Services is implementing stricter monitoring, intelligence-driven systems, and emergency drills to prevent further breaches.
South Africa’s correctional facilities are facing a growing crisis as inmates exploit security weaknesses to escape, with hospitals emerging as a favored point for prison breaks.
The Department of Correctional Services (DCS) revealed these alarming trends during a briefing to Parliament’s Portfolio Committee on Correctional Services, highlighting the urgent need for enhanced security measures.
The DCS provided a detailed account of ongoing security lapses, following the high-profile escape of convicted rapist and murderer Thabo Bester from the Mangaung Correctional Centre.
The committee was briefed on the department’s actions in response to a report by the Public Protector, which included implementing stricter security protocols and addressing corruption within prison management.
Department spokesperson Singabakho Nxumalo also disclosed another recent escape, where a 35-year-old inmate, Yanga Wayithi, fled from Pollsmoor Correctional Centre in Cape Town.
Wayithi, who was serving a six-month sentence for theft and trespassing, was part of a work team assigned to facility maintenance when he managed to escape.
An internal investigation has been launched to determine how Wayithi managed to evade security. “As the manhunt continues, the public is urged to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity to authorities,” Nxumalo stated.
Public Protector’s Recommendations on Security Failures
The Public Protector’s report on Bester’s escape included several recommendations to tighten security and prevent future incidents. These are:
- The development of a comprehensive escape prevention strategy.
- The establishment of an anti-corruption reporting line.
- The creation of an anonymous whistleblowing platform for reporting security breaches and corruption.
To comply with these directives, the DCS submitted updated security policies and an action plan detailing the steps being taken to address these concerns.
