ZAOn 4 August 2026, former G4S staff at the former Mangaung Correctional Centre, now part of the Grootvlei Management Area, faced uncertainty after the Department of Correctional Services took over the facility from G4S. These workers, who had previously served in high-risk conditions, were not rehired and instead subjected to a competitive recruitment process that left many unemployed. The Labour Court had ruled that the takeover constituted a transfer of a business as a going concern under Section 197 of the Labour Relations Act, requiring the continuation of employment and protection of workers' rights. However, the Department ignored this ruling, offering only temporary contracts to some former staff while leaving others without work. This situation highlights concerns about the Department's adherence to legal obligations and its impact on worker livelihoods.
Bias read (Progressive): The article frames the issue as a failure of privatization and emphasizes the negative consequences of outsourcing prison management to G4S. It criticizes the Department of Correctional Services for disregarding a court ruling, portraying the state's actions as unjust and unlawful. The narrative is左
