Thabo Bester, a convicted rapist and murderer, escaped from the Mangaung Correctional Centre, a maximum security prison operated by private security company G4S, in May 2022 [1][3]. The South African government was aware of Bester’s escape since October 2022, but allegedly did nothing about it [2].
There have been accusations of G4S officials assisting Bester in his escape, with one guard identified as Senohe Matsoara appearing in court in April 2023 [2][11]. G4S has also been accused of removing itself from accountability and failing to attend a parliamentary committee meeting to discuss the escape [4][5][6].
In addition, there have been allegations of disturbing incidents involving officials and healthcare in the Mangaung Correctional Centre while it was under the control of private security companies, including G4S [9].
It is important to note that all of these accusations are still under investigation or awaiting trial and have not yet been proven in a court of law.