Prison boss ‘costs dept R100 000’

Following Thabo Bester’s escape from Mangaung Prison, the acting commissioner of Eastern Cape prisons Lucky Mthethwa travelled to the Free State prison with 40 managers from the province’s 45 prisons to learn best practises from that prison and also learn from the mistakes of the facility.

The trip, which was also attended by all directors and deputy directors from the correctional service’s provincial office, allegedly cost the department R100 000 in travel claims in a single month as the senior officials used their own cars.

This revelation come as a group of senior correctional services officials in the Eastern Cape, with assistance of the Police, Prisons and Civil Rights Union (Popcru), have written to the ANC leadership in the province asking for a meeting to discuss waste of taxpayer’s money at the Eastern Cape office with Mthethwa at the helm.

The national correctional services department confirmed to The Citizen the trip to Mangaung took place and defended it.

Mthethwa’s detractors also allege travel claims increased by tenfold since Mthethwa took over as acting commissioner in May 2021, fuelling suspicions of the milking of the department’s travel allowance budget.

The group also alleged in addition to his salary, Mthethwa rakes in between R30 000 to R40 000 per month from travel claims.

In a letter addressed to ANC provincial secretary Lulama Ngcukayitobi, Popcru provincial secretary Xolani Prusente said: “We feel decisions taken in our department are affecting society.”

Mthethwa’s spokesperson Nobuntu Gantana referred questions to the national correctional services departmental spokesperson Singabakho Nxumalo.

“Senior management service members such as Mr Mthethwa utilise their private vehicles for official business and the department is liable to reimburse the officials. For as long as Mr Mthethwa remains in the acting capacity, he is thus entitled to submit claims for the trips undertaken,” said Nxumalo.

Mthethwa is set for another huge payday when he finishes his acting term.

Nxumalo explained: “Due to the fact that the transfer is temporary, this means that this can end at any time. When this acting period ends, Mr Mthethwa will return to his position. The department would then be liable to pay Mr Mthethwa resettlement fees again.”

He added learning of best practices from other correctional centres is not only allowed but encouraged in the field.

“Correctional facilities engage in knowledge sharing and collaboration to improve operations, enhance inmate outcomes, and ensure staff safety,” said Nxumalo.