National Commissioner (NC) of the Department of Correctional Services (DCS), Mr Makgothi Thobakgale, yesterday (Thursday, 2 July 2026) again visited the newly named Grootvlei Maximum Correctional Centre, formerly known as Mangaung Correctional Centre (MCC), to corroborate that operations are running smoothly since DCS assumed direct management of the facility a day ago (1 July 2026).
The 25-year concession contract between Bloemfontein Correctional Contracts (BCC) and DCS came to its natural end on 30 June 2026. This paved the way for the Department to assume responsibility for the running of the facility as of July 2026.
As part of his operational visit, NC Thobakgale embarked on a walk-about to areas of interest within the facility, including the offender units, hospital, kitchen, library and school.
He also interacted with offenders to suss their views on the transition and reassure them that normal DCS operations shall ensue the same way they do in 242 other centres countrywide.
Symbolic of a DCS correctional centre, offenders were clad in their new orange uniform.
The visit culminated in a formal meeting where the NC reflected on his observations.
Together with other senior managers, including technocrats in different fields, NC Thobakgale deliberated upon issues pertaining Human Resource Management and the recruitment process, offender cash, repairs and maintenance of the facility, offender uniform, as well as contract management.
As part of the deliberations, the NC urged DCS officials: “We need to keep records of developments in this transition. We need to be an incident-free environment. You need to closely monitor your budget,” he said.
NC Thobakgale could not stop commending DCS officials for the good work and dedication displayed prior, during and post the assumption of direct management of the facility.
“I appreciate the excellent work that you’ve done. I personally move from the premise that: ‘If you can’t envision it, you can’t do it’”.
“You rose to the occasion and, every opportunity I get, expect me to express this gratitude. I did not expect failure because I knew all of you had it in your minds that this task you’ll do. That’s what actually sets us apart from the rest. Understanding our environment better is what makes us do wonders in our spaces. That’s why I would sometimes keep quiet as a display of trust I have in you,” he concluded.