File photo of prison cell
Security company G4S has confirmed the dismissal of three prison wardens from the Mangaung Correctional Centre in connection with the fire which led to the escape of Facebook rapist Thabo Bester.
Confirmation of the dismissals follows the Department of Correctional Services saying that the convicted murderer and rapist escaped from the maximum security facility.
It was believed that Bester died in a fire that broke out in his cell in May 2022.
G4S is contracted by the government to provide security at the maximum prison in Bloemfontein.
In a statement, the company says the wardens were first suspended and later dismissed.
"On 3 May 2022, G4S Correction Services notified the Department of Correctional Services and the police of a fire at a Mangaung Correctional Centre and the tragic death of a prisoner.
"On 5 May, following an initial investigation, G4S alerted police to a number of concerns surrounding the circumstances of the fire. SAPS was supplied with relevant information and evidence.
"Three employees at the facility were suspended shortly after the incident. These employees were subsequently dismissed in September 2022, December 2022, and January 2023 respectively for matters relating to their conduct on the evening of 3 May 2022."
The company says since the incident happened it has been cooperating with the police.
"From the outset, G4S Correction Services (South Africa) has fully cooperated with the authorities and will continue to do so, we await the conclusions from the police on their investigation into what happened on 3 May 2022."
According to the Department of Correctional Services, Bester remains at large.
